


/ 
do 




Ma.kii; L. a. Ap.bott, U. S. A. 
CliiU'dinst, Wiisliiinjtoii, 1). V. 



PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS 

AND 

Civil War Diary 
1864 



By 

MAJOR LEMUEL ABIJAH ABBOTT, U. S. A. 
Late Captain 10th Regt. Vt. VoL Infantry 



BURLINGTON : 

FREE PRESS PRINTING CO. 

PRINTERS, BINDERS, STATIONERS. 

1908. 



^6o/ 



A 



13 



Gift 
Author 
^■(P«r«ofl) 

26 '08 



DEDICATION. 



TO THE PATRIOTS AND COMRADES 

OF ONE OF VERMONT'S MOST GALI.ANT REGIMENTS, 

THE TENTH VERMONT VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

MAY ITS STATE PRIDE, 

FIDELITY, esprit de corps and splendid record in 

THE CIVIL WAR SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE AND 
inspiration to COMING GENERATIONS. 



PREFACE 



THE following Diary covering the interesting 
period of the Civil War from January i, to 
December 31, 1864, and a portion of 1865 to 
the surrender of General R. E. Lee at Appomattox 
Court House, Va., was kept by the Author at the age 
of twenty-two when an officer of the Tenth Regiment 
Vermont Volunteer Infantry, Third and First Brigade, 
Third Division, Third and Sixth Corps re- 
spectively, Army of the Potomac, and is a brief 
war history as seen by a young soldier literally 
from the front line of battle during General U, S. 
Grant's celebrated campaign from the Rapidan 
River to Petersburg, Va., and Gen. P. H. Sheridan's 
famous Shenandoah Valley campaign in the summer 
and fall of 1864. During this time the Author 
passed from the grades of Second to First Lieu- 
tenant and Captain, and commanded in the mean- 
time in different battles five or more companies in his 
regiment which afforded an excellent opportunity to 
make a fairly interesting general diary of the fighting 
qualities of his regiment and especially of the com- 
panies which he commanded during that most inter- 
esting period of the Civil War when the backbone of 
the Rebellion was broken, which, together with Sher- 
man and Thomas' cooperations led to the surrender 
of General R. E. Lee at Appomattox C. H. April 9, 
1865. 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 



For thirty-eight years the diary remained closed, 
and indeed had been forgotten by the Author until 
he accidentally ran across it one day in an old chest, 
when on leave of absence in Vermont, where it had 
been placed after the war by someone for safe keep- 
ing, the Author in the meantime having been an of- 
ficer in the regular army many years and honored 
with the degree of B, S. by his Alma Mater on ac- 
count of his supposed accomplishments in military 
science after many years of hard service, a large por- 
tion of which was on the frontier among the Indians 
whose civilization was finally largely brought about 
through his recommendation to educate all the Indian 
children throughout the United States, about 1877-9, 
when he was considered an expert on the Indian ques- 
tion both by the War and Interior Departments. 

On reviewing the diary with the eye of an expert, 
it was found so uniquely interesting on account of 
the many dramatic situations simply given in a youth's 
unpretentious way that, from the fact it contained so 
much of interest to the surviving men whom the 
Author was honored in and fortunate enough to com- 
mand during such a historic period, and especially 
to the kinsmen of those who have passed along to the 
higher life, he concluded to publish it in full. 

It is not pretended that it is based on any official 
general orders but is solid fact and experience simply 
told by a young soldier who stood up to the rack in 
the front line of battle and took uncomplainingly 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



whatever was in store f or him, steadily refusing 
to accept whatever was offered which would remove 
him from the line of battle to a safer place at home 
or in the rear because he not only preferred to occupy 
a place in the front line of battle in command of men, 
which he considered the most honorable place for a 
soldier in the army at such a time, but because he had 
grown sincerely attached to the brave men in the 
different companies and detachments he commanded 
which comprised the whole regiment and some in 
others who not infrequently by reason of superior 
physical endurance and courage led and inspired him 
in some of the most noted battles of ancient or mod- 
ern times. 

A diary was kept during a portion of 1865 to the 
close of the war, but its whereabouts if preserved are 
unknown to the Author; so that in 1865, only a few 
of the most strikingly dramatic scenes and battles 
are given in the addenda as the curtain was falling on 
the greatest civil conflict of modern times, one of the 
most impressive of which was General Grant's mag- 
nificent bearing as he rode at a goodly pace, silently 
with his retinue, along among his men inside the 
enemy's works after they had been captured by the 
celebrated fighting Sixth Army Corps which he had 
specially selected, as it was said at the time, to break 
the enemy's line at the point where it was broken in 
front of Petersburg, on the morning of the memor- 
able Second of April, 1865. This and other startling 
and unexpected scenes crowded each other so closely 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



the following week they are indelibly photographed 
on the mind of the writer never probably to be for- 
gotten so long as time shall last ; and they are not 
overdrawn as no pen is sufficiently graphic to any- 
where near do the subject justice. 

Had there been an artist on the ground to have 
seen Grant as he then appeared, the very ideal of a 
silent, unassuming yet stern-looking, determined and 
dignified conquering hero, who could have reproduced 
the scene on canvas, his fame would have been estab- 
lished, for the writer never saw him to better ad- 
vantage nor could anyone else, as the occasion and 
surroundings were all there, never to be again exactly 
repeated in any gigantic struggle, i. e. the great battle- 
field studded with unusually extensive, silent, deserted 
and partially dismantled, formidable earthworks and 
military camps, shattered, abandoned and captured 
ordnance, the defeated, struggling and straggling 
enemy, the prisoners of war, the wounded, dead and 
dying, the shocking sight of carnage, and last, but 
not least, the victorious army headed by its intrepid 
but humane big-hearted leader — Grant. It would be 
a historic picture before which the civilized world 
would pause entranced ; it was grandly impressive be- 
yond description. As an entrancing, dramatic inci- 
dent, the surrender of Lee, a few days later at Ap- 
pomattox Court House, sinks into insignificance. 

The reader is cautioned not to expect too much 
from this unpretentious diary, as some parts were 
frequently written by the light of a camp fire or 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 



blazing- pine knot, sitting on the ground, and gen- 
erally by a worn-out and greatly exhausted young 
soldier with no expectation of ever publishing it; and 
besides, frequently there was very little room or time 
to write much, so that on important occasions there 
was no opportunity for entering into details, and 
especially when shot and shell were whizzing and 
screeching overhead almost as thick as bees about a 
hive. Some of it while on sick leave of absence in 
Vermont on account of wounds, will not probably 
greatly interest the average reader, but as much of 
historic interest is frequently given in connection with 
the killed, wounded, etc., during this time, after due 
consideration it has been thought best to leave none 
of it out, and so it has all been printed. It may 
possibly aid the future historian and genealogist, too, 
which is another reason why the diary has been pub- 
lished. 

It is only by gathering up the fragments from eye 
witnesses which is too frequently ignored by military 
historians with the time and opportunity to do such 
work thoroughly, that a fully rounded out regimental 
or other war history can be written. The blue pencil 
is too frequently used by unscientific military his- 
torians to get the best results. The opinions of ac- 
complished shirks in battle, because it does not happen 
to be generally known they were such, having tact 
enough to cover it up, and of those not versed in 
military science or with too much honesty and un- 
biased judgment, are too frequently accepted instead 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



of solid fact as seen by others of reliability, though 
obscure, who were intrepid enough to at least be with 
the most courageous of their men who were generally 
in the vanguard of any assaulting column and fre- 
quently individually led it. 

But some who write war history unfamiliar with 
such experiences, can never know of the inspiration 
and strength that comes to one in command of any 
part of an assaulting column of grandly brave, un- 
daunted men, or what it is to feel that he is the very 
point of the wedge of his part of an assaulting column 
which is perhaps the first to cleave the enemy's line, 
and that he is conscientiously doing without any 
thought of shirking whatever he finds before him to 
do because it isn't his nature to be otherwise. 

Finally, what decided the Author to publish this 
diary now at once, old age being upon him, was to 
try and correct false history in connection with the 
first assault at Sheridan's battle of Winchester, Va., 
Sept. 19, 1864. Besides this, he was requested to 
pubUsh his personal observations, in July, 1908, just 
before leaving Washington, D. C. of every battle he 
was in during the Civil War by the Librarian of the 
War Department. He stated that as regular army 
officers were trained in such work their accounts of 
such battles would not only be of great help to future 
historians, but better than from most any other source. 

The; Author. 
Washington, D. C, January i, 1908. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page 
Maj. L. A. Abbott, U. S. A., the Author. Faces Title 

No. 1 Opequan Creek Crossing and Winchester 

Pike do. 150 

No. 2 Winchester Pike looking East from 

Battlefield do. 153 

No. 3 Sheridan's left center Battlefield do. 155 

No. 4 Sheridan's right center Battlefield do. 157 

No. 5 Sheridan's Battlefield looking North- 
westerly do. 158 

No. 6 Ravine Occupied by Enemy's Infantry 
in front of Third Division Sixth 
Corps do. 160 

No. 7 Same Ravine in front of Second Division 

Sixth Corps, Unoccupied by Enemy, do. 162 

No. 8 Same Ravine from head Occupied by 
Enemy in front of Third Division 
Sixth Corps do. 166 

No. 9 Winchester Pike looking West from 

Battlefield do. 178 

No. 10 Taylor's Hotel, Winchester, Va., 1908.. do. 210 

No. 11 Cannon-ball House, Winchester, Va., 

1908 do. 212 

No. 12 Bronze Statue, National Cemetery, Win- 
chester, Va., 1908 do. 214 



ABBREVIATIONS. 



Besides the usual abbreviations of States and months, 
and those commonly used for dispatch in writing and 
economy of space, the following are made use of in this 
work: — 

Ad jt Adjutant 

A. G Adjutant General 

A. A. G Assistant Adjutant General 

Brig.-Gen Brigadier General 

Capt Captain 

Col Colonel 

Corp Corporal 

d Died 

Div Division 

Lieut Lieutenant 

Lieut. Col Lieutenant Colonel 

Lieut. Gen Lieutenant General 

Maj. Gen Major General 

Priv Private 

Q. M. D Quartermaster's Department 

Regt Regiment 

res Resides 

R. Q. M Regimental Quartermaster 

Sergt Sergeant 

U. S. C. I United States Colored Infantry 

U. S. C. T United States Colored Troops 

wid Widow 



CIVIL WAR DIARY* 

AND 

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS 

1864 



In Winter Quarters, 

Near Brandy Station, Va., 

Friday, Jan. i, 1864. 

Although attached to Company B, Tenth Regi- 
ment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, (Capt. Edwin 
Dillingham's of Waterbury, Vt.), Lieut. Ezra Stetson 
commanding, I am Second Lieutenant of Company 
D (Capt. Samuel Darrah's of Burlington, Vt.) of 
the same regiment, having been promoted from First 
Sergeant of Company B last spring. 

All are wishing me a "Happy New Year" ! God 
grant that I may have one. I was awakened long 
before daylight by the band serenading the birth of 



*The most interesting part of this diary commences on 
May 3rd, 1864, when General U. S. Grant's campaign to 
Petersburg, Va., begins, and later General Sheridan's Shen- 
andoah Valley campaign, etc. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



the New Year. Lieut. G. W. Burnell took his 
departure early this morning for Washington, D. C. ; 
he has been promoted Captain of U. S. Colored 
Troops and is about to take up other duties in Balti- 
more, Md. It was quite pleasant eaily in the day 
but it is very muddy under foot; had a grand New 
Year's dinner. There has been a very cold wind 
this afternoon. This evening it is clear and intensely 
cold. Will Clark has made me a short call ; am feeling 
very well but studying hard. 

Saturday, Jan. 2, 1864. 
Another day of the new year has passed but a 
very busy one for me. It has been very cold all day. 
This afternoon I have been papering my hut so our 
quarters are quite comfortable now. The band has 
been out this evening and played some very pretty 
pieces, and I am thankful for it relieves the monot- 
ony of dull camp life. This evening Lieut. D. G. 
Hill and Captain Goodrich, the brigade Quartermaster, 
called ; they were in fine spirits. It is bitter cold, 
but no wind as last night ; have received no letters 
which of course is provoking. 

Sunday, Jan. 3, 1864. 
Quite a comfortable day ; no snow yet, but it looks 
likely to storm in a day or two; wrote to Pert*, and 
had our usual inspection this forenoon. Since dinner. 



*Miss P. A. Thomson, a cousin and many years a teacher 
in Goddard Seminary, Barre, Vt. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



I have read "Washington's Farewell Address", and 
the "Declaration of Independence". This evening 
quite a number of recruits arrived for the regiment, 
but none for Company B. Capt. J. A. Salisbury has 
been in to call on Lieut. Stetson, and broken my 
camp chair. This is still more provoking than not 
to get a letter from home for chairs are not plentiful 
here. He is a big man. 

Monday, Jan. 4, 1864. 

It has snowed nearly all day, but not very hard. 
To-night there is about two inches on the ground 
and it is still snowing. Lieut. Stetson started for 
Vermont this morning on the 9:30 train, and Capt. 
H. R. Steele arrived from there this evening. I am told 
to-night that Colonel Embic of the One Hundred and 
Sixth New York Infantry has been reinstated. We 
have formed a quiz school to-night, the members 
being Dr. Almon Clark, Lieuts. E. P. Farr and C. G. 
Newton and Chaplain E. M. Haynes. We are to 
meet every night and ask questions on geography, 
history, etc. I think it a grand idea. I suspect they 
think me fresh from school, though, and want me 
to do most of the quizzing, the same as in the class 
of about seventy-five enlisted men in tactics and 
English branches which recites to me daily now, 
fitting for examination for commission in colored 
troops. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



Tue;sday, Jan. 5. 1864. 
It has been a beautiful day, but the wind is blowing 
very chilly to-night; drew clothing for the Company 
this afternoon ; had a very good dress parade con- 
sidering the quantity of snow and mud under foot. 
Our school met this evening but we didn't accomplish 
much. Capt. E. B. Frost, and Dr. W. A. Child and 
wife dined with us to-day; had a nice time. Herbert 
George, the band master, has been in this evening 
relating his experiences during his leave in Vermont. 
It almost makes me homesick: have got to go on 
picket early in the morning beyond Culpeper, Va. 

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1864. 

Chilly and cloudy but the weather is moderating 
very fast; got cheated out of my breakfast this 
morning on account of going on picket; formed line 
at 7.45 and so remained till nearly 10 a. m. when the 
officer of the day came and started us for the picket 
line ; got on the wrong road and did not find the 
line until 3 p. m. It has been quite pleasant all day, 
but looks likely to storm before morning. No mail 
to-day. 

Thursday, Jan. 7, 1864. 

Quite cold and disagreeable ; got up about 10 a. m. 
feeling as well as could -be expected after a hard 
day's march. The men had been to breakfast and 
were in fine spirits ; were relating their experiences 
in the late engagement at Locust Grove. Banty — a 
little, jolly, duck-legged Frenchman — started for camp 
this forenoon for more rations and the mail, but 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



after he had been gone about a half hour a man from 
Company E. came from camp with both. The 
weather has moderated and it is snowing this 
evening. 

Friday, Jan. 8. 1864. 

It cleared during the night and this morning it was 
sharp and cold. As I awoke the sun was peeping 
brilliantly up behind the eastern hills and all nature 
was beautiful. About two inches of snow fell in the 
night which added to the beauty of the sunrise. 
Three deserters stole into our lines from the enemy 
in the night. They report that many more want 
to get away ; read two letters to-night one from home 
and one from Hen. 

Saturday, Jan. 9, 1864. 

Still the weather continues fine. There is not a 
cloud to be seen or a breath of air stirring, and yet 
it is quite a sharp morning. The Company got an- 
other mail this forenoon but there was nothing for 
me ; was relieved from picket this afternoon about one 
o'clock : arrived in camp about four p. m. ; found 
plenty of Company work to keep me busy all to- 
morrow. Lieut. C. G. Newton started for Vermont 
this morning ; have been studying tactics this evening ; 
got my books from home I sent for last week. 
Sunday, Jan. 10, 1864. 

A beautiful morning. Dan Bancroft came in to 
see me this forenoon, a private in the Vermont Cav- 
alry; had inspection at 11 a. m. and dress parade this 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



evening-. Quite a number of recruits came this 
evening, but only one for Company B. Col. A. B. 
Jewett and Lieut.-Colonel W. W. Henry also re- 
turned from Vermont to-night. The band has been 
serenading Colonel Jewett. It is cold and frosty 
with a little snow still on the ground. 

Monday, Jan. 11, 1864. 

Another fine day; have been very busy attending 
to Company matters ; also received many calls — in 
fact it has taken me a goodly part of the day to enter- 
tain visitors. Capt. Samuel Darrah, Herbert George 
of the band and Lieut. W. R. Hoyt have just gone 
and now comes Lieut. E. P. Farr, and it's after 10 
o'clock ; haven't studied a bit to-day, yet, but I shall 
make up for lost time before I sleep. 

Tue;sday, Jan. 12, 1864. 

Retired at 2 a. m. last night; learned by heart be- 
fore retiring fifty pages in tactics ; got up at 9 a. m. 
and went at it again ; have conquered fifty pages more 
to-day and recited them to Lieut. Farr : had them 
fairly well learned before ; only review ; weather warm 
and comfortable ; had a dress parade at 5 p. m. 
This evening twenty recruits armed and equipped 
arrived from Vermont for Company B ; got some 
newspapers from cousin Abby Burnham to-night. 
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1864. 

It has been very muddy and dull in camp to-day; 
weather dark and gloomy : no dress parade ; have 
written to Pert; also received a letter from J. R, 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 7 

Seaver, containing a plan of the hospitals being built 
at Montpelier, now nearly completed. Lieut. Farr 
has been in this evening and we have been studying 
tactics together ; guess he takes advantage of my being 
better posted than he, having been a cadet at Norwich 
University, Norwich, Vermont, where I was well 
drilled, and can explain things better. I wish they 
didn't consider me the best drill in the regiment ; it 
makes me lots of extra work and takes much time. 
But I must be obliging — not mean and selfish. 

Thursday, Jan. 14, 1864. 
The weather still continues to be warm and pleas- 
ant; no wind and not a cloud in sight; have received 
two letters from Vermont to-night — one from home 
and another from one of my old scholars in Chelsea. 
The teachers who succeeded me in my school there 
had very poor success both last summer and this 
winter. When the teacher announced to the school 
this winter one morning that I had died of typhoid 
fever at Rockville, Md., it having been so reported, the 
children refused to be reconciled and grieved so they 
had to be dismissed, the same thing occurring the 
next morning. Poor things ! I never think of it but 
what my eyes — well, my throat gets lumpy and my 
lips quiver. I had no idea they were so devoted. It 
seems as though they would follow me in memory 
throughout eternity. Still, as their teacher I was 
strict and firm, but always just, and never struck one 
of the flock of sixty during either winter with them. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



Will I ever make such devoted friends again? Alas! 
it's only a memory now but will ever be a sacred one. 
May the recollection be as blissful to them as it will 
be to me throughout the everlasting ages of time. 
Nothing has occurred to-day worthy of note ; have had 
my cabin full all day. Lieuts. W. R. Hoyt and E. P. 
Farr have been in this evening. 

Fdiday, Jan. 15, 1864. 

It is by far the finest day we have had this year, 
but very muddy. A part of the regiment has gone 
on picket to remain three days. It is reported in 
camp that one entire regiment of "Johnnies" came 
over from Cedar Mountain this morning and gave 
itself up. They were miserably clad, a large major- 
ity having no shoes at all ; they started for Washington 
this evening. It's a beautiful moonlight night. 

Saturday, Jan. 16, 1864. 

Another warm summer day; have been at work on 
clothing rolls, also laying down sidewalk in front of 
my quarters. One of our new recruits has gone to the 
hospital to-day sick with lung fever. General W. H. 
Morris has returned from his home near N. Y. city 
with his sister and a lady friend. This evening he 
rode through the camp and was cheered by the men. 
The bands are serenading him to-night, his head- 
quarters being just about a hundred yards in rear of 
my hut. It is bright moonlight. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 9 

Sunday, Jan, 17, 1864. 
It has been a cold and disagreeable day; had Com- 
pany inspection this forenoon ; have written home 
to-night ; received a letter from Carl Wilson and one 
from Pert; wind blew hard this forenoon, but it is 
calm to-night ; band played this evening. Five more 
recruits arrived this afternoon for Company B. It's 
cloudy and looks like rain. 

Monday, Jan. 18, 1864. 

It has rained hard all day, but is not very cold. 
The mud is very deep. It's rumored that Governor 
Smith and Mr, Baxter are to be here to-morrow; 
have been studying hard all day only when engaged 
in Company duty; cooler this evening; snows a little; 
pickets have just come in wet and tired. Lieut. E. P. 
Farr has not been in this evening to look up tactics. 
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1864. 

The wind has been blowing furiously all day from 
the northwest; has rained very little; commencing to 
freeze this evening ; have been looking over ord- 
nance returns this afternoon ; no time to study to-day. 
Lieut. Ezra Stetson is expected to-morrow, also Gov- 
ernor Smith, as he didn't come to-night. Lieut. D. 
G. Hill has been in this evening; wind blows a gale. 

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1864, 

Quite a fine moon to-night — a little cloudy but no 

wind ; froze quite hard last night ; have had so much 

company all day it has been impossible to do anything 

but visit ; band is serenading General W. H. Morris ; 



10 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

are proud of our band, it being one of best regimental 
bands in the army. Lieut. Stetson has not come to- 
night; got no letter from home, but received a good 
one from Carl Wilson. To-night they have the 
Universalist festival at Barre, Vt. ; v^ould like to be 
there, but my festival will be with tactics. 

Thursday, Jan. 21, 1864. 
It was quite frosty this morning, but pleasant and 
has remained so all day ; had regimental monthly in- 
spection this forenoon. Company B got the credit of 
having the best street in the brigade. I am proud of 
my old Company; it always tries to please me. 
Nate Harrington and Orry Blanchard of the First 
Vermont Brigade have been to see me to-day. Lieut. 
Ezra Stetson has not come to-night, his time being up 
last Tuesday ; no letter from home yet ; beautiful moon- 
light night, but quite cool. 

Friday, Jan. 22, 1864. 
As pleasant a morning as I ever saw. Lieut. D. G. 
Hill started for Vermont this forenoon ; have made 
out the final statements of Corporals C. W. Beal, C. 
B. Lee and Private A. S. Parkhurst, but Lee is 
dangerously ill in the hospital and not able to receive 
his discharge papers. Private J. W. Sawyer, a re- 
cruit in B Company has been in hospital but is gaining 
fast ; received a letter from home this evening. 
Lieut. Ezra Stetson has not come yet; fear he will 
find trouble when he does come. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 11 

Saturday, Jan. 23, 1864. 
It has been a beautiful day with a Ught southern 
breeze; have not had a moment's time to myself all 
day someone being here all the time. It's provoking 
for I want to study so much. Beal and Parkhurst 
started for home to-day, Barre, Vt. Lieut. Ezra 
Stetson has not come yet. Major C. G. Chandler 
received a letter from Capt. E. Dillingham to-night, 
who is a prisoner of war at Richmond, Va. Private 
George G. Brown was detailed this evening in the 
Company mess house. 

Sunday, Jan. 24, 1864. 
The day has been fair; started for picket at 9 a. 
m. ; relieved the One Hundred and Sixth New York 
Infantry about noon; made my headquarters at Mr. 
Bowen's, an old man about seventy-five years old; 
has a son who lives with him, a miller, which accounts 
for his not being drafted into the Confederate army. 
A "yaller girl", as we call them, keeps house for him. 
All's quiet on the picket line. It's a lovely night. 
Monday, Jan. 25, 1864. 
Still another fine night; have been reading the 
newspaper to the old gentleman, etc. Ain't I a good 
Yankee? One Johnny, a deserter, came into our 
lines last night; reports that an entire brigade of 
the enemy whose time has expired is fighting its 
way into our lines. Perhaps this may be true but I 
can't vouch for it. I take it with a grain of salt. It 
is evident, though, that a great number are deserting 



12 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 

to our lines ; have finished my Company clerk book 
to-day. The moon is shining brightly. 

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1864. 
It has been a lovely day. Some of the time it's 
been really uncomfortable, the sun has been so warm. 
About I a. m. last night when making the rounds 
considerable firing was heard towards the right of 
the line. It was probably deserters trying to come 
into our lines. Sergeant Daniel Foster came to 
the picket line this afternoon to get some money 
to send Corporal C. B. Lee's remains to Vermont 
who died last evening. Banty has come with some 
rations. Lieut. Ezra Stetson arrived in camp Sun- 
day evening. 

WkdnESDAY, Jan 27, 1864. 

It has been a delightful day; expect to be relieved 
this afternoon. Two deserters came into our lines 
this morning; they report Lee's army in a miserable 
condition-— no rations or clothing, and the citizens 
nearly starving. They say that "Secession is playing 
out." The Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry re- 
lieved us about noon; arrived in camp about 5 p. m. 
The roads are in splendid condition, as good as I 
ever saw them in Virginia at this time of year. If 
the weather was fine all the time picket guard would 
be more desirable than so much camp duty. 

Thursday, Jan. 28, 1864. 

A fine morning. Most of the companies have 
been fixing their streets; have been at work all day 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 13 

on Lieut. Ezra Stetson's ordnance returns, and have 
not got them done yet; will try and finish them in 
the morning-. The regiment got no mail to-night. 
Corporal C. B. Lee's remains were sent home Tues- 
day; had a dress parade to-night in which the recruits 
took part. Those of Company B never had a gun in 
their hands till this morning. 

Friday, Jan. 29, 1864. 
It has been really uncomfortable all day, it's been 
so warm. Lieut G. E. Davis started for Vermont 
this forenoon ; have completed the ordnance return 
but it's not mailed yet. Most of the officers have 
been playing ball this afternoon. The non-commis- 
sioned officers have given us a challenge to play for 
the oysters to-morrow, and the Colonel has accepted 
it ; received a letter from brother Roy and wife and 
one from home ; have been reading army regulations, 
etc. Colonel A. B. Jewett has refused to approve 
Lieut. E. P. Farr's application. 

Saturday, Jan. 30, 1864. 
A cloudy, chilly day, but not much rain. One 
game of ball came off this afternoon in which the com- 
missioned officers won. Two more games are to be 
played Monday if a good day. It's a cloudy, dark, 
gloomy evening in camp ; haven't studied much to-day, 
but read army regulations some. Dr. W. A. Child and 
Lieuts. H. H. Dewey and E. P. Farr have been in 
this evening. 



14 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sunday, Jan. 31, 1864. 
The wind has been whistling around the cabin ali 
day. It's been misty, but we've had Httle rain; 
have been to church and written home. We have a 
goodly sized log chapel covered with the fly of the 
new hospital tent. Mrs. W. A, Child was present 
and sang, a rich treat, for it has been a long time 
since I've heard a lady's voice at church. Sergeant 
J. M. Read has been in this evening. 

Monday, Feb. i, 1864. 
A dull and miserable day, but no rain ; have been 
studying very hard in the second volume of tactics. 
No one has been in this evening save Lieut. George 
P. Welch who has notified me I am detailed for 
picket to-morrow. It is not my turn and is a great 
disappointment as I have laid my plans to accomplish 
a good week's work, and had this not happened, I 
could have sent in my application next week to 
appear before General Silas Casey's board in Wash- 
ington for examination for a commission in colored 
troops. I want to be a field ofiicer and won't accept 
anything else. 

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1864. 
A cloudy morning. The sick have gone to the 
general hospital to-day which indicates a general 
move; started for picket at 9 a. m. ; fine marching; 
arrived on the line about 12 noon; heavy wind all 
afternoon ; am in command of Company G on picket ; 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. If, 

have had a thunderstorm this evening. All's quiet 
on the picket line to-night. 

Wi<;dnesday, Feb. 3, 1864. 
High wind, cloudy but no rain all day; have moved 
my tent down by the men's, so am quite comfortable 
to-night. The officer of the day came along about 
4 a. m. ; all was quiet along the line during the night. 
The countersign is "Mexico." My rations are 
getting very short. 

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1864. 

A fine morning, Captain Samuel Darrah has been 
down; have sent to camp for the mail and more 
rations ; quite a comfortable day. All's been quiet 
through the day, but to-night there's been some firing 
both sides of my post along the line; mail has come 
but no letter for me. The countersign is "Vera 
Cruz." It's a beautiful night. 

Friday, Feb. 5, 1864. 

It has been very much like a beautiful spring 
morning in Vermont. I wish that I were there to 
take a walk on the snow crust, but this at present 
cannot be; were relieved from picket about i p. m. 
by the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio In- 
fantry. It is quite cloudy this evening and bids fair 
for a stormy day to-morrow ; received a good letter 
from home this evening, and have reviewed part 
fourth in the second volume of tactics. 



16 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Saturday, Feb. 6, 1864. 

I was awoke at 5 a. m. by the long roll; was soon 
directed to report to Col. A. B. Jewett's headquarters 
and ordered to break camp and march for the Rap- 
idan, which is no pleasant thing- to do at this season ; 
were ordered to march at 7 a. m. but didn't till near 
4 p. m. ; marched to the picket line and bivouacked ; 
has rained some all day but not hard; considerable 
firing towards night at Jacob's ford. 

Sunday, Feb. 7, 1864. 

Resumed our march at daylight; halted about two 
miles from the river and remained through the day. 
The Johnnies were on this very ground yesterday 
in large numbers, but were repulsed by the First 
Corps and fled across the river; no fighting to-day; 
got orders about sundown to return to camp which 
we did without a halt. On arrival there we found 
there had been a great scare from Mosby but it 
amounted to nothing; wonder if he thinks guerrilla 
warfare manly? Some people are born gorillas, 
though, and have no more conception of honor. I'd 
go and drown myself before I'd practice that kind 
of warfare ! 

Monday, Feb. 8, 1864. 
Chilly and cloudy ; don't feel very well to-day, 
nor does anyone else ; all stiff and lame ; don't wonder 
at it for we had to march through mud and water 
ankle deep or more last night from the Rapidan with- 
out a rest. The regiments were completely disorgan- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 17 



ized; officers and men all got lost from their 
commands and both struggled and straggled into 
camp as best they could. It was a mob and a dis- 
grace to the Third Corps. 

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1864. 

A chilly south wind has been blowing all day, and 
it looks likely to snow before night ; hope it will for 
if it does not, I fear we will have to make another 
Rapidan campaign which I am not at all anxious for. I 
have been over to Lieutenant Thompson's quarters 
studying to-day, as I have been so annoyed in my 
ov/n quarters that I could not possibly study ; am 
with Lieut. Ezra Stetson ; got a paper from Pert 
to-night and a New Year's Address. 

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1864. 

The weather has been fine but rather cold with 
a chilly northeast wind ; had a good brigade drill this 
afternoon. Col. A. B. Jewett had an officers' school 
this evening in the chapel which is very essential to 
us all. Lieut. Ezra. Stetson has commenced to build 
an addition to our hut, as he is expecting to have his 
wife come out and remain with him the rest of the 
winter. 

Thursd.\y, Feb. 11, 1864. 
The weather has been clear and pleasant, but in- 
tensely cold for this latitude. Lieutenant C. F. Nye 
returned from \'ermont this evening looking as 
rotund and hearty as ever; received a letter from 
home ; all well ; have got to start for a three-days' 



18 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

tour of picket to-morrow. Capt. H. R. Steele is 
officer of the day ; wind blowing furiously to-night. 

Friday, Feb. 12, 1864. 

Clear and cold but no wind ; started for picket at 
9 a. m. ; arrived on the line at i p. m. A part of 
our detail having through mistake to go to Pony 
Mountain, has returned this evening, and conse- 
quently I have had to move my headquarters up the 
line ; am near Mrs. Battles, historic because of Union 
officers' escapades there. The house being between 
the lines the women connived in trying to get them 
captured ; countersign is "Perth." 

Saturday, Feb. 13, 1864. 

Clear and warm with no wind, and by far the 
finest day of the month yet. Captain H. R. Steele 
came along this morning and took a part of Com- 
panies B and G for the reserve thus leaving me in 
charge of only five posts ; wonder what he's afraid 
of? Have received our mail, but none for me. 
All's quiet on the line to-night ; countersign 
"Bristeau." 

Sunday, Feb. 14, 1864. 
Clear and chilly but very little wind; fields and 
woods in front of the line to-day all on fire. A 
squadron of Cavalry has been out on a scout to-day 
and captured Billy Scott and two or three of his 
comrades. He is a noted guerilla. It is also re- 
ported that our cavalry ran onto the enemy in force. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 19 

We are ordered to be on the alert this evening ; no 
countersign. 

Monday, Feb. 15, 1864. 

A chilly, cloudy morning but no wind ; probably 
will snow before night. At 10 p. m. was ordered by 
Capt. H. R. Steele to take my command up to the 
reserve as soon as possible as the Johnnies were 
advancing in eight (whew!) different lines: think the 
man who reports this must be troubled with C. W. 
(commissary whiskey) ; arrived in camp at 4 p. m. ; 
snowed all the afternoon. But what's become of the 
eight lines of C. W.? 

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1864. 

Cloudy with a furious wind — in fact one of the 
most terrific gales of the winter — so piercing it's 
impossible to keep warm in our huts; have called 
on Mrs. G. E. Davis and Mrs. Ezra Stetson. All 
hands have been to prayer meeting this evening but 
me, and I have been studying; am stopping with 
Captain Samuel Darrah now; wind still high. 

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1864. 

Clear and intensely cold, with high wind; have 
been studying in Dr. Almon Clark's quarters to-day; 
had a mock court-martial this evening at the chapel 
to entertain the ladies; sat up with Lieut. C. G. 
Newton till i a. m. Lieut. H. H. Dewey left for 
home this morning; no wind to-night, but very cold. 



20 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Thursday, Feb. 18, 1864. 

Very cold but less wind than yesterday ; had our 
monthly inspection this forenoon at ten o'clock; 
received no letter from home to-night. Dr. W. A. 
Child and wife have called this evening. He is a 
very bright, polished gentleman, but I am afraid of 
him ; probably because he is older than I am ; have 
been studying at Dr. Almon Clark's again to-day ; 
wind abated but cold to-night. 

Friday, Feb. 19, 1864. 

Cold as ever but no wind to mention. Lieut E. P. 
Farr left for Vermont this morning ; spent three 
hours this afternoon in the chapel with a class of 
non-commissioned officers who desire commissions 
in colored troops, and have requested me to hear 
them recite in tactics, etc., daily, before going before 
a board for examination in Washington, D. C. 
Received a letter from home ; all well there. Carl 
Wilson is about entering a drug store in Montpelier, 
Vt. 

Saturday, Feb. 20, 1864. 

A very pleasant day but not warm. The men have 
been playing ball this afternoon ; very dull otherwise ; 
paymaster has come ; have been very busy having 
men sign pay rolls. There is a detail for picket to- 
morrow, but I am not going. 

Sunday, Feb. 21, 1864. 

Cloudy, but no wind, threatening rain before 
night ; regiment left for picket at 9 a. m. ; very quiet 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 21 



in camp ; religious services were held in the chapel 
at 4 p. m. by Rev. Mr. Parker of Waterbury, Vt. and 
a prayer service this evening, but I have not attended 
either. All's quiet. 

Monday, Feb. 22, 1864. 
Cloudy and warm. The Second Brigade was out 
drilling this forenoon as well as a battery; very busy 
this afternoon ; paymaster paying off the regiment ; 
rained a little this evening; got a paper from Ver- 
mont but don't know who sent it. There is a ball 
at First Corps headquarters to-night. 

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1864. 
A very pleasant day, but lonely in camp ; dancing 
in the chapel this evening; moon shining brightly, 
and not a breath of air stirring, but for all this I 
can't study; no letters from home; all's quiet as 
midnight save the music in the chapel. 

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1864. 
Pleasant day with northwest wind. Col. A. B. 
Jewett and a select party have gone to Pony Moun- 
tain ; picket guard came in about 4 p. m. First Corps 
had a review to-day, as well as the Second Corps; no 
letters from home ; fine evening. 

Thursday, Feb. 25, 1864. 

Pleasant but windy. General French reviewed our 

division to-day — the Third of the Third Corps; 

muster and payrolls have come ; after review spent 

three hours with mv class at the chapel; reported 



22 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

the ladies will have to leave camp next week ; hope 
it isn't so. 

Friday, Feb. 26, 1864. 
Cloudy, high north wind but fair ; air full of dust 
all day ; had brigade drill this afternoon ; dance in 
chapel this evening ; General W. H. Morris present : 
Governor Smith has arrived in the army. 

Saturday, Feb. 27, 1864. 
Pleasant but chilly. The Sixth Corps is on the 
move this morning for Madison Court House — 
probably a reconnoissance. Governor Smith arrived 
in camp this forenoon. I started for picket about 
4 p. m. to relieve the First Division of our Corps 
which is to accompany the Sixth Corps to Madison 
Court House ; arrived on picket line at 2 a. m. Feb. 28. 

Sunday, Feb. 28, 1864. 
Did not get up till 9 a. m. ; night march very 
fatiguing ; not feeling well ; cloudy and threatening 
rain. Captain P. D. Blodgett visited the line this 
morning ; several Johnnies came into our lines this 
forenoon ; everything quiet this evening. 

Monday, Feb. 29, 1864. 
Am feeling better this morning ; weather gloomy ; 
chilly south wind ; considerable cannonading to-day 
towards Madison Court House ; reported General 
Kilpatrick has captured a portion of Lee's picket line 
and penetrated to Orange Court House ; pickets 
ordered to be vigilant, etc. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 23 



Tuesday, March i, 1864. 
Commenced hailing about midnight and has con- 
tinued to alternate with it and rain all day ; trees and 
shubbery ice-covered and the day has been dismal; 
not as much cannonading as yesterday; relieved from 
picket about 6 p. m. by the Third Brigade ; marched 
to camp on the pike. 

Wednesday, March 2, 1864. 
Cleared during the night; ground covered with 
snow ; weather fine ; have been making out Lieut. 
Ezra Stetson's muster rolls; not with my class this 
afternoon ; have nearly com,pleted the second vol- 
ume of tactics ; no mail to-night. 

Thursday, March 3, 1864. 
The weather continues pleasant. Mrs. C. G. 
Chandler started for Vermont this morning. Mrs. 
Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Henry arrived in camp 
this evening. Dr. Almon Clark has also arrived from 
Vermont. The Sixth Corps passed our camp this 
evening on its return from Madison Court House. 
General Kilpatrick has made a junction, it is said, 
with General B. F. Butler ; camp very lonely to-night. 

Friday, March 4, 1864. 
Weather calm and fine ; no mud ; pickets came in 
this afternoon ; making muster and pay rolls ; dance 
in chapel this evening ; got a letter from Pert ; 
has finished her school and all well at home. Lieu- 
tenant Thompson arrived in camp this morning. 



24 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Saturday, March 5, 1864. 

Weather continues fine ; completed B Company's 
muster and pay rolls this forenoon ; Sutler George 
Skiff gave a ball in the chapel this evening; dis- 
tinguished guests present ; fine time. Dr. Child and 
wife called this evening, also Mrs. Hunt and Morse; 
no mail. 

Sunday, March 6, 1864. 

A beautiful day, no wind and quite warm. Gen- 
eral W. H. Morris has had lady visitors form Nev^' 
York City. Our band has been playing for him. 
There were services to-day in the chapel ; several 
ladies were present ; good dress parade this evening ; 
cheering news from Kilpatrick's cavalry. 

Monday, March 7, 1864. 

Very pleasant but colder than yesterday ; have been 
hard at work all day with some men decorating the 
chapel with evergreens, etc. ; got some help from 
the ladies ; reception and dancing this evening. Gen- 
eral J. B. Carr and lady were present and other 
distinguished guests. Captain Samuel Darrah was 
floor manager. Captain E. B. Frost looked after the 
supper ; brilliant party. 

Tuesday, March 8, 1864. 

It has been raining quite hard all day. The 
entertainment did not close last night till 2 a. m. to 
day ; have been returning the things borrowed for 
the hall last night ; am feeling dull ; no drill to-dpy ; 
expect to be reviewed by General French to-morrow. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 25 



WEDNESDAY, March 9, 1864. 
The weather has been very pleasant, but it's been 
a long weary day; have been at work on Company 
B clothing rolls, etc.; no recitation to-day. The 
Second Brigade has been having a review and drill 
this afternoon. The Third Corps review has been 
postponed till to-morrow, but I expected to go on 
picket ; get a speech from Congressman Woodbridge ; 
wonder what's come over him to be so civil; he's 
Header's (my student roommate) law partner, but he 
was barely civil to me when I saw him in Vermont. 
Thursday, March 10, 1864. 
A lovely morning with a gentle south breeze; 
formed line at 9 a. m. for picket. Captain H. R. 
Steele in command of the detail from our brigade; 
commenced raining about 11 a. m. and continued 
all day. Our regiment is on the reserve. Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Egbert of the Third Brigade, a fine man, 
is officer of the day. 

Friday, March 11, 1864. 
It has rained hard all day. Lieut. J. S. 
Thompson and I have charge of the post on the 
pike. It is not a desirable one to be on, as the cavalry 
reserve is directly in front and they are continually 
passing and repassing, and the orders are very strict 
about passing anyone in or out of the lines. Col- 
onel Ball is officer of the day and a good fellow. 
Saturday, March 12, 1864. 
It cleared during the night and it's fine this 



26 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

morning. I was on duty the last part of the night, 
but passed no one; wind blew furiously all day. A 
large party of citizens came through the lines desti- 
tute of nearly everything. A Colonel from the 
Third Brigade is officer of the day, and a strange 

fellow. 

Sunday, March 13, 1864. 

This is truly a fine day. A squadron of cavalry 
passed on the pike this morning to extend the cav- 
alry picket line to Madison Court House ; was 
relieved this afternoon by the Sixth Maryland Infan- 
try ; Major C. G. Chandler is officer of the day ; arrived 
in camp about 5 p, m. ; found Lieuts. Kingsley and Kill 
had returned from Vermont. 

Monday, March 14, 1864. 

Beautiful day. Most of the officers met at the 
hall this forenoon to make arrangements for another 
ball this evening; am on the committee to decorate 
the hall; have worked very hard all day, but am well 
repaid as all seem to be pleased with what I have 
done. Pretty decorations always add to the pleasure 
of all such gatherings. A large party was present. 
Tuesday, March 15, 1864. 

Cold but pleasant ; no wind ; four hours' drill to- 
day, but I was excused being so busy at the chapel. 
I forgot to mention that Captain J. A. Sheldon 
returned from Vermont last night where he has been 
on recruiting service since November. The Third 
Corps is to be reviewed to-morrow by Major-General 
French. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 27 



Wednesday, March 16, 1864. 
Very cloudy and a high gale all day; formed line 
for review at 9 a. m. ; moved a half mile out of camp, 
stacked arms, remained two hours and then started 
for the parade ground about a half mile away on 
John Minor Bott's farm; review passed off pleas- 
antly, but it was very cold. The Corps made a fine 
appearance; wonder what Vermont people would 
think to see such a review; guess their eyes would 
pop plum out of their head. 

Thursday, March 17, 1864. 
The weather still continues boisterous. Hon. 
Portus Baxter's son arrived in camp last evening with 
several other Vermont gentlemen. They gave an 
entertainment at the Colonel's mess house this evening 
for the officers of the Tenth. I did not attend. 
Lieutenant E. P. Farr returned from Vermont this 
evening; received a letter from home. 

Friday, March 18, 1864. 
Am not feeling well; took cold on review yester- 
day. The wind is blowing furiously, the air is full 
of dust, and it is a disgusting time. A party has 
gone to Pony Mountain. The long roll was beat and 
the regiment was hastily formed in line about 7 p. m. 
and so remained until 9 p. m. when it broke ranks. 
It was a scare. Such is army life in time of war. 
Saturday, March 19, 1864. 
The weather was truly fine this morning at sun- 
rise, but about noon the wind blew a gale. Captain 



28 CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 

Samuel Darrah's Co. D of which 1 am second 
lieutenant challenged the regiment to play a game of 
ball for $50 — or rather Captain Samuel Darrah did — 
which it accepted but lost the game. The regiment 
goes on picket to-morrow, but I don't expect to go. 
It looks like rain. 

Sunday, March 20, 1864. 

Clear and fine but rather cold. General W, H. 
Morris inspected the regiment this morning. A 
picket guard of two hundred and fifty men and eight 
officers left this morning. Captain J. A. Sheldon 
commanded the brigade detail. Services were held 
in the chapel at 4 p. m. Rev. Mr. Barnard of 
Williamstown, Vt. preached ; weather cold, 

Monday, March 21, 1864. 

The weather continues fine but cold. General W. 
H. Morris inspected and reviewed the brigade. Pre- 
parations are being made for an army review ; have 
been working on B Company's clothing rolls. 
Captain Samuel Darrah has gone over to division 
headquarters this evening. Captain Leonard, (Bri- 
gade Adjutant General), and Lieut. J. A. Hicks, A, 
D. C, have called. It's a beautiful evening. 

Tuesday, March 22, 1864. 
The wind has blown furiously from the southeast 
all day. It's by far the most disagreeable day of the 
winter; commenced snowing about 5 p. m. and now 
at II p. m. there is eight inches on a level. My appli- 
cation to go before General Silas Casey's board for 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 29 

examination for a field office in colored troops has 
not been returned yet ; shall put in another to-morrow. 
Wednesday, March 23, 1864. 
Weather fine but very chilly. About eight inches 
of snow fell last night. Major C. G. Chandler 
is division officer of the day. A review of the 
army is expected in the course of two or three 
days. The army is anxiously waiting to see Gen- 
eral U. S. Grant ; sent in another application to go 
before General Silas Casey's board this evening; the 
pickets returned to-night. 

Thursday, March 24, 1864. 

Weather fine ; some snow on the ground yet. 
Messrs. Smith and Farra arrived this evening from 
St. Albans, Vt. The regiment remained in line nearly 
all day in anticipation of General Grant's visit to the 
Army of the Potomac. A special train which he was 
probably on passed about 2 p. m. But what was the 
use of keeping troops under arms in line all day? 
It looks like C. W. again, or schoolboy management 
of which there is too much ; got a letter from home 
to-night. 

Friday, March 25, 1864. 

Chilly wind from the southeast ; very cloudy ; looks 
like rain ; Company drill from 10 to 1 1 a. m. Our 
Third Division of the Third Corps has been per- 
manently transferred as Third Division of the Sixth 
Corps, Brigadier-General Prince assuming command 
of the division. General French is ordered to 



30 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Washington, D. C. Our regiment was a favorite 
with him, and the officers met in the chapel this 
evening to pass resolutions of regret, although we are 
glad to go to the gallant Sixth Corps if ours must 
be broken up. 

Saturday, March 26, 1864. 

It's a fine day ; no wind ; dull in camp ; only ball 
playing for amusement which isn't half as exciting 
as being shot at by a Johnny. Our visitors from Ver- 
mont returned to St. Albans, Vt. this morning ; 
services were held in the chapel this evening by Rev. 
Mr. Roberts of Williamstown, Vt. ; weather fine. 

Sunday, March 27, 1864. 

It has been a beautiful day, warm and comfortable ; 
snow all gone ; wrote home, also to Captain G. W. 
Burnell ; have not heard from my application yet. 
Chaplain E. M. Haynes preached a good sermon in 
the chapel this afternoon ; good dress parade to- 
night ; cloudy. 

Monday, March 28, 1864. 

It has been quite warm all day. The ladies started 
for home this morning but missed the train. We had 
a brigade review this forenoon, the first since we 
joined the Sixth Corps, and brigade dress parade in 
the evening which General Mead witnessed ; picket 
in the morning. 

Tuesday, March, 29, 1864. 

An order came last night for us to move camp to- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 31 

morrow. We hope it may be countermanded. The 
ladies started for Vermont this morning. Colonel 
A. B. Jewett went with them as far as Washington. 
A part of the regiment started for picket at 9 a. m. ; 
has rained hard since 1 1 a. m. 

Wednesday, March 30, 1864. 
It rained hard all night ; didn't sleep a wink ; got 
very wet ; men in good spirits and everything working 
well in spite of the rain ; have seen no officer of the 
day. Lieut. George P. Welch came down to see me 
this evening; very dark; camp quiet; looks like an- 
other storm before morning. 

Thursday, March 31, 1864. 
Weather quite agreeable to-day. The Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry 
is officer of the day, a very pleasant, agreeable man ; 
think I should like him. The Third Division of our 
Corps has exchanged camp with our old First 
Division ; have very poor quarters. 

Friday, April i, 1864. 
A disappointing day; weather quite fine this morn- 
ing ; commenced raining about noon and has continued 
all day; was relieved from picket about i p. m. by 
the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania 
Infantry; marched to the bridge the other side of 
Culpeper and waited for the officer of the day, but 
soon found to our disgust that he had gone to camp. 
He's no soldier ! ought to be court-martialed ! 



32 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Saturday, April 2, 1864. 

Arrived in camp about dark last night and found 
the regiment in a mud hole without quarters fit to 
live in. How white men could be content to erect 
such winter quarters is beyond comprehension. Even 
the Johnnies do better. These quarters are the worst 
ever seen, besides being dirty. All are indignant and 
aggrieved at such ill treatment. It has rained or snowed 
hard all day to add to our discomfort ; received a 
letter from C. B. Wilson and answered it ; am dis- 
gusted about not being ordered before the Casey 
board for examination ; fear I waited too long before 
making my application ; probably have all the officers 
they want. 

Sunday, April 3, 1864. 

It has rained nearly all day ; mud very deep in 
camp : more stormy weather the past two weeks than 
all winter before ; most of the officers are building 
new cabins, the huts occupied by the previous reg- 
iment being uninhabitable. It's a dark and dismal 
camp, and very depressing. 

Monday, April 4, 1864. 

It has been a terrible day. The wind has blown a 
gale, it has snowed or rained incessantly all day, and 
we miss our old cabins greatly near Brandy Station, 
I have kept fairly comfortable, though. Such, how- 
ever, is a soldier's life in the Army of the Potomac. 
It's a cold blustering evening without and were I not 
so busy studying I should be depressed and discon- 
tented. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 33 

Tuesday, April 5, 1864. 

The storm still continues, raged all night, and it 
was a tedious one ; no order for Washington yet ; alas ! 
I fear I am doomed to disappointment all my life. Ah, 
well, so might it be, if it's God's will. Dick Moon 
arrived to-night direct from Vermont. I am glad to 
see him about again. It has ceased storming but the 
wind is still high. 

Wednesday, April 6, 1864. 

Cloudy and windy this morning, but it cleared up 
about noon ; fine evening, too, but no moon ; have been 
over to the theatre, but hardly got paid for my trouble 
except for the novelty of seeing a theatre built of 
logs. It is as big as a city theatre, is of fine rustic 
work and a curiosity. It was built by the Engineers 
and is handsome. Of course in a big army like this 
there is plenty of fair theatrical talent and some ex- 
cellent. The band came out this evening and played 
a few pieces, the first with their new instruments; 
am at work on Company B clothing rolls; will finish 
in about two days. 

Thursday, April 7, 1864. 

Muddy under foot, but sunshiny and warm; 
received a letter from home ; all well there ; have not 
been very busy to-day; men working hard building 
cabins in the new camp four or five hundred yards 
away; will probably complete it in season to break 
camp in when the spring campaign opens. It's a 
handsome camp, every cabin being exactly alike, 



34 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

; innr^^-r—^^ ■ 

commodious and is symmetrically laid out, the hand- 

somest I ever saw. But the Tenth Vermont leads the 
army in such a way and is the pride of general offi- 
cers from army headquarters down; it is just the same 
in drill, parade, forced marching, fighting or any place 
it is put. The men have great esprit de corps, and 
strive not to be outdone by any other regiment in 
anything. Were it not that the men's minds are 
kept occupied, I should doubt the expediency of 
putting so much work into a new camp so late in the 
season, but they seem to enjoy it, so it's all right; 
it keeps them healthy and hard, too; besides, they 
will be in splendid shape for the campaign close at 
hand ; there's no moon to-night but it's beautiful star- 
light ; bands are serenading at division headquarters. 
In the stillness of the night the distance softens the 
splendid music and makes it enchanting. I sit out- 
side alone in deep thought and dream over it. War 
is such a strange companion ! 

Friday, April 8, 1864. 

Weather warm and pleasant the fore part of the 
day, but towards night it hazed up ; probably will rain 
to-morrow; had a long and tiresome brigade drill 
this afternoon that disgusted everybody, and I think 
a useless one ; received my order from the Secretary 
of War to report to General Silas Casey's board; 
shall not go till Tuesday. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 35 

Saturday, April 9, 1864. 

My predictions are fully realized, it has rained 
torrents all day; haven't done a thing but mope over 
the fire ; so muddy outside it's almost impossible to 
get round even if it didn't rain so ; have sent in an 
application for three days' leave to go to Washington 
for examination ; very busy reviewing tactics ; no 
letters. 

Sunday, April 10, 1864. 

Storm has ceased, but it's muddy and windy ; part 
of the regiment started for picket this morning. 
Lieut, Ezra Stetson has gone so I will be alone ; have 
been studying all day; Sergeant J. M. Reed called 
this evening, also Dick who will stay all night, his 
quarters being crowded ; rather dull in camp all 
day. 

Monday, April 11, 1864. 

Rested finely last night; weather fair; had a three 
hours' brigade drill this afternoon ; proved more of 
a march than a drill ; regiment very small owing to 
so many being on detached service, and on other 
details ; men busy, too, on their log cabins in the new 
camp. Dick is with me to-night; think he prefers 
being where he isn't so much crowded as in his own 
quarters. 

Tuesday, April 12, 1864. 

Weather comfortable and warm, but few clouds 
and very little wind. If the weather still continues 
fine a few days longer the army will make an advance 



36 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

without doubt; have been talking with our sutler's 
clerk, Huntington, who was a lieutenant in the rebel 
army thirteen months, but being a Vermonter, on the 
death of his wife and child who were living in the 
south, he deserted to our army. 

Wednesday, April 13, 1864. 
Warm and comfortable ; mud drying up finely ; 
application to go to Washington to report to General 
Silas Casey returned this forenoon, disapproved ; had 
a brigade drill this afternoon, a better one than usual ; 
men busy on their cabins ; wish they were done as 
their present ones are very filthy ; a beautiful moon- 
light night. 

Thursday, April 14, 1864. 
Weather fine, no wind or clouds and but little mud ; 
had our regimental monthly inspection at 10 a. m. ; 
have written to Major Fostor, Chief of Bureau for 
the Organization of U. S. C. T. in regard to appear- 
ing before the Casey board for examination ; no letter 
from home to-night ; several callers this evening. 

Friday, April 15, 1864. 
Weather fine this forenoon but began to cloud up 
towards night. Major Harper has paid off the regi- 
ment to-day. The sutler is also selling ofif his stock of 
goods, as to-morrow is the time appointed for all 
sutlers to leave the army; looks like a move in a 
few days ; am detailed for picket to-morrow ; no 
letter from home to-night, am sorry to say. 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 37 



Saturday, April 16, 1864. 
Corps review was ordered for to-day, but it is rain- 
ing-, so very likely it will be postponed; started for 
picket about 9 a. m. with Col. W. W. Henry as Officer 
of the Day, so we will fare well ; rained all forenoon ; 
cleared about i p. m. ; fair since. The Tenth Ver- 
mont has the right of the line. 

Sunday, April 17, 1864. 
Weather fine and warm, but some windy with 
clouds ; all quiet along the line to-day ; have very poor 
quarters; has been very quiet in front; it's doubtless 
the calm which precedes the storm; have little doubt 
but what the army will move within the next week; 
beautiful, moonlight, calm evening; it seems ominous. 

Monday, April 18, 1864. 
It has been very comfortable on picket to-day with- 
out any fire. The officer of the day has been 
at my post to-day for the first time. Generals Grant, 
Meade and Sedgwick, are reviewing the Sixth Corps 
to-day; regret not being present. One of the bough 
houses caught fire this evening and burned up; 
otherwise all's quiet. 

Tuesday, April 19, 1864. 
The weather is getting uncomfortably warm ; no 
need of fire any more on picket. A skirmish occurred 
last night about fifteen miles out on the pike. One 
or two of the enemy were killed and as many wounded. 
One of our men was wounded in the foot. A detach- 



38 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

ment of our cavalry came in this morning with some 
prisoners. 

Wednesday, April 20, 1864. 
Not very pleasant to-day; brigade drill this fore- 
noon ; regiment so busy putting up quarters it is 
excused from all other duties ; officers of Tenth 
Vermont all ordered out to witness the new move- 
ments in tactics at brigade drill. My leave has come 
back approved, but shan't go to Washington till Sun- 
day ; clear moonlight night. 

Thursday, April 21, 1864. 
A truly beautiful day, warm and pleasant with no 
wind at all; regiment moved to a new camp this 
morning; most of the line officers remain here yet. 
The three left Companies, B, G and K contested for the 
medal Major C. G. Chandler proposed giving last win- 
ter, and B, my old Company and the one I have been 
with all winter, won it. Of course it would ! It 
always honors itself and me ; got a letter from home 
to-night. 

Friday, April 22, 1864. 
Weather pleasant and agreeable this morning, but 
towards night it began to haze up and now it is 
sprinkling. A part of the regiment went on picket 
this morning. Major Chandler is officer of the day; 
had a dress parade to-night. Lieut. J. A. Hicks is 
relieved from General W. H. Morris' staff. Most of 
the line officers have moved over to the new camp. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 39 

Saturday, April 23, 1864. 
It cleared during the night ; quite fair this morning, 
but by noon the wind blew a gale, and the air was 
loaded with dust and smoke, but the sun was shining ; 
shall start for Washington in the morning ; have 
written Dr. Jones to-night. It's lonely and I'm 
feeling depressed. 

Sunday, April 24, 1864. 

It's been a beautiful day; left camp at 6 o'clock 
this morning and reached Brandy Station at 9 a. m. 
One would hardly think it was Sunday by the stir 
about camp and our base of supplies, but war knows 
no Sunday ; arrived in Washington at 4 p. m. and 
went to the National Hotel. War rumors load the 
very air here. 

Monday, April 25, 1864. 

it has been a pleasant spring day ; reported to Gen- 
eral Silas Casey this morning : will be examined to- 
morrow ; sat at Bradey's this afternoon for pictures. 
The streets are thronged with moving bodies of 
troops. General Burnside's Corps passed through 
the city this afternoon. President Lincohi reviewed 
it from the balcony over the ladies' entrance of Wil- 
lards Hotel on Fourteenth street. This is my first 
sight of President Lincoln and probably a.s goijd as 
1 shall ever liavi I was just across the street op- 
posite on thf curb an 1 not crowded. He looked pale, 
very .sad and grcrit]> careworn. It depressed me to 
look ai him. The remembrance will ever be vivid. 



40 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Burnside's Corps has encan ped near Alexandria for 
the night ; saw Othello played at Grovers Theatre to- 
night (now the New National). 

TvHSDAY. April 26. 1864. 

Fine day. Several regiments have passed up Penn- 
sylvania Avenue during the <lay : have been before 
the board ; ani very much pleased with its appearance 
with the exception of General Silas Casey who is too 
old and childish for such liusiness. To my surprise 
I was asked what pt)sitioii I wanted, and I replied 
a field office; was told the supply was more than the 
demand and as officers were absorbed in the same or- 
der as passed by the board I would never be called on. 
I replied that I should never accept anything but a 
field office ; was passed for a first class Captaincy, 
there being three grades, First, Second and Third 
class ; saw Edwin Forrest play Mattamora tonight at 
Ford's Theatre. It was fine. 

WKUNKSDA'i . April 2-;, 1864. 

Ir'leasant but some wind ; started for the front on 
the () a. m. train ; passed t^.cneral Burnside's Corps 
south of Alexandria en route towards Ft. Albany ; 
arrived in camp about sundown ; found everything as 
I left it; am with my own Company (D) now, Lieut. 
J. A. Hicks having returned to Company B, which is 
his own company. 

Thursday, April 28, 1864. 

.\ part of the regiment' went on picket this morn- 
ing; am officer of the day. I forgot to mention that 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 4I 

on my return I was surprised to find that Col. A. B. 
Jewett had resigned and that his resignation had been 
accepted ; received a letter from Capt. Albert F. Dodge 
and one from home tonight ; have been very busy 
making out muster and pay rolls all day. 

Friday, April 29, 1864. 
It has been warm and pleasant ; nothing going on 
in camp ; men seem to be enjoying themselves play- 
ing ball; completed Company D muster and pay rolls, 
Lieut. G. P. Welch relieved me this morning as of- 
ficer of the day. Capt. E. B. Frost is now acting 
Major ; very dull in camp tonight. Colonel W. W. 
Henry is division officer of the day. 

Saturday, April 30, 1864. 

Weather uncomfortably warm this forenoon but 
cooler since. Major C. G. Chandler mustered the 
regiment this forenoon ; no drill this afternoon. Gen- 
eral Burnside's Corps has relieved the Fifth Corps 
which has been doing duty on the railroad. The 
Third Division has moved in on our left ; all's quiet 
tonight. 

Sunday, May i. 1864. 

Weather fine and pleasant. Major C. G. Chandler 
made a thorough inspection of the regiment this 
morning. Lieutenant Clark from the sharpshooters 
called on me this afternoon ; pickets came in about 4 
o'clock. Chaplain E. M. Haynes preached a good 
sermon today; have written to J. R. Seaver. 



42 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Monday, May 2, 1864. 
Still another fine day, and yet the army remains 
idle. The query generally is, "when will the army 
move, and where ?" I guess we will wish it hadn't 
when it does move. General U. S. Grant seems to 
keep his own counsel, like the silent man he is. It is 
well. A furious wind-storm occurred about 5 o'clock 
p. m. but did not disturb us much. 

Tuesday, May 3, 1864. 
Pleasant in the forenoon, but a gale this afternoon ; 
had brigade drill two hours this afternoon. At last 
our query for the past two weeks has been answered. 
A part of the army moved to-day, and no doubt we 
shall go to-morrow ; received orders at 6 o'clock p. m. 
to march at 4 o'clock a. m. to-morrow. All is con- 
fusion in camp. 

Wednesday, May 4, 1864. 
We were aroused this morning at 3 o'clock, formed 
line at daylight, and took up our line of march for 
Germania Ford about sunrise. The whole army is 
evidently on the move. It looks more like business 
than ever before ; arrived at the ford about 6 o'clock 
p. m. ; found that our cavalry crossed here last night 
without opposition ; are encamped on the south side 
of the river not over fifty yards from it. 

Thursday, May 5, 1864. p 

Pleasant and warm ; remained at the 4&f-P'unti\ about 
8 o'clock a. m. waiting for General Burnside's forces 



^(^O^t-^ic^^ ^ ^^f- A^'6 /? 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 43 

to relieve us, and then marched about two miles up 
the plank road and formed line of battle in a piece 
of woods to the right of the road ; remained here un- 
til noon when Burnside's corps again came up and 
occupied our line when we pushed on to the front 
passing many corralled and moving army trains, and 
through the outskirts of the field hospital near the 
right of our army's infantry line of battle until we 
struck the Orange turnpike when we turned to the 
right and followed it some distance until near enough 
the enemy to draw the fire of its artillery when seem- 
ingly the air was full of solid shot and exploding 
shells as far each side the pike as could be seen. The 
road here ran in a straight line ahead of us almost as 
far as the eye could reach bordered on either side with 
a dense forest and underbrush which was also being 
shelled in places. Shortly after, when within shelling 
distance, the enemy fired a solid shot straight along 
the pike which tore screeching through the air just a 
little above the heads of the men in column in our 
regiment till it struck the pike about midway the 
regiment, providentially where the men had split and 
were marching on either side of the road, when it 
viciously rebounded along the pike lengthwise the 
column to the great consternation of the men all 
along the extended column in our own and other regi- 
ments. This situation was most trying for every 
moment I dreaded the effect of a better directed shot 



44 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

which would go destructively through our long 
column lengthwise and do untold damage. 

Soon, however, we turned to the left or southerly 
into the woods and formed line of battle almost as 
soon as there was room after leaving the road with 
the enemy close in our front with a field piece of 
artillery hardly a hundred yards away through the 
brush which kept each from seeing the other. Be- 
fore Captain H, R. Steele had hardly finished dress- 
ing his company after forming line a shell from this 
gun exploded in the ranks of Company K, killing a 
private and wounding others. The shell had burst 
actually inside the man completely disemboweling 
and throwing him high in the air in a rapidly whirling 
motion above our heads with arms and legs extended 
until his body fell heavily to the ground with a sick- 
ening thud. 

I was in the line of file closers hardly two paces 
away and just behind the man killed. We were 
covered with blood, fine pieces of flesh, entrails, etc., 
which makes me cringe and shudder whenever I 
think of it. The concussion badly stunned me. I 
was whirled about in the air like a feather, thrown 
to the ground on my hands and knees — or at least 
was in that position with my head from the enemy 
when I became fully conscious — face cut with flying 
gravel or something else, eyes, mouth and ears filled 
with dirt, and was feeling nauseated from the shake- 
up. Most of the others affected went to the hospital. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 45 

and I wanted to but didn't give up. I feared being 
accused of trying to get out of a fight. 

The Division Commander and staff were about three 
hundred yards more or less, behind us in direct line 
with this gun that was shelling us. Another shell 
from it which went screeching close over us — for we 
immediately after the first shot lay flat on the ground 
— disemboweled Captain G. B. Damon's horse of the 
Tenth Vermont on the Division staff, on which he 
was mounted, and killed two others. This party 
could be seen from where I was in line plainly. I 
was surprised at the quickness with which Company 
K got into line again after being so disrupted by the 
exploding shell in its ranks. 

Friday, May 6, 1864. 
We slept on our arms last night. Report says that 
we forced the enemy's right flank back about three 
miles yesterday besides capturing a goodly number 
of prisoners, but I doubt it. It is also rumored that 
the Vermont Brigade of our Corps was badly cut up 
yesterday afternoon, but I hope it's not true ; it was 
hotly engaged, though, on our left. We were led 
further off into the woods this forenoon to form an- 
other line of battle evidently, but General Seymour 
who was in charge seemed to be dazed, and while 
poking around alone in front of and too far away 
from his command without a skirmish line in his 



46 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

front, was taken prisoner.* A part of our brigade 
was finally detached and taken north of and just to 
the right of the Orange turnpike including our regi- 
ment where we formed line behind some natural 
breastworks with the enemy's earthworks about fifty 
yards more or less in our front across a pretty, level, 
green field, in the edge of the woods ; this work of theirs 
was in front, I am told, of the enemy's main line. We 
were shelled more or less at times through the day 
until about mid-afternoon when we were let alone. 

Later in the day all at once hearing heavy firing on 
the right flank of our army not far away, Colonel W. 
W. Henry excitedly called us to attention, faced us 
to the right and then turning the head of the column 
directly to the rear we ran with all speed possible — 
there was no double quick about it — for a mile or 
more into the woods in rear of where the heavy firing 
on our right was, stumbling over logs, ditches, brush, 
etc., till our faces, hands and shins smarted from 
bruises and scratches, when we were halted all out 



*In a letter to Chaplain E. M. Haynes of my regiment 
by me which he used in his history of our regiment, I 
state that Seymour was taken prisoner when the right 
flank of our army was thrown into confusion late May 6, 
1864. From what source I got the information I don't 
recollect, but supposed it correct. I had not then seen my 
diary for many years, and had forgotten about the matter. 
My diary is correct, for I recall having heard of Seymour 
being taken prisoner that day before the fighting on our 
right flank later in the day. I wondered when I saw him 
so far in front of his column why he didn't have a skir- 
mish line in his front. An alert General wouldn't have 
been captured, I don't think. — L. A. A. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 47 



of breath, faced to the left and ordered to give the 
charging- war cry which, being a good deal wrought 
up, not knowing what had happened but that a dis- 
aster had occurred to our forces as panic-stricken men 
were hastening to the rear from our defeated right 
through our lines, and not knowing our own position 
relatively speaking to any other of our forces, or but 
what we would be pounced upon any moment, for we 
had but a small part of our brigade even, with us, so 
far as I could see in the woods, and annihilated, we, 
together with the One Hundred and Sixth New York 
Volunteer Infantry and Fourteenth New Jersey re- 
peatedly gave the war cry as we had never given it 
before or did give it again afterwards. It rever- 
berated again and again in the forest until the echo 
died away in the gloaming as softly as a fond mother's 
lullaby, and it pleased me at the time to think that 
perhaps it was God's offering through us and the 
medium of nature, or His lullaby to the thousands of 
wounded and dying heroes both of the blue and the 
grey within hearing, for the softly dying echoes cer- 
tainly were soothing and restful in the quiet twilight 
even to me. This war cry had the effect not only to 
stop the enemy's firing but its advance, thinking prob- 
ably it was a counter-assault to meet theirs, and it 
saved many a poor fellow from being captured, as 
the enemy ceased its aggressive tactics in order to 
reform and be prepared to meet our anticipated as- 
sault. 



48 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

General Jtibal A. Early's Division of three brigades 
had stolen round in rear of General Shaler's veteran 
brigade of the First Division and the Second Brigade 
(formerly General Seymour's) of green men of the 
Third Division, Sixth Corps, which were on the right 
of our army in the order mentioned, attacked vigor- 
ously both in rear and front, threw Shaler's veterans 
into disorder as well later as the Second Brigade, cap- 
tured Shaler and created temporary confusion among 
the trains and hospital corps nearby. Seemingly it 
was the result of bad generalship by someone on our 
side. If I had been a General in command there, I'll 
bet the Johnnies wouldn't have got away with me ! 
It was evidently lack of alertness, and the Johnny fel- 
low got the best of it because the most alert. 

Generals Meade and Sedgwick probably returning 
from an investigation of that part of the battlefield 
after the fight just after dark near our regiment 
where I was, inquired what troops were there and on 
being told it was the Tenth Vermont at that particular 
point Sedgwick said to Meade, "We are safe enough 
with that regiment!" as though they doubted the se- 
curity of their surroundings; 

Saturday, May 7, 1864. 
Weather very warm, but suited to the work we have 
got to do. We fell back about a half mile last night, 
just after Generals Meade and Sedgwick passed our 
regiment, to some breastworks in which we lay on our 
arms all night. This morning we were moved to a 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 49 



stronger position on a ridge just to the left of the po- 
sition we occupied last night, and threw up very strong 
breastworks, several brass cannon having been placed 
along the ridge before our arrival. We have re- 
mained as support to this artillery all day, but it 
hasn't been used. The enemy made an attempt to 
carry the works to our left on the pike early this 
morning but were repulsed in less than five minutes 
with a loss of two hundred. We have remained on 
the defensive all day. The Second Corps repulsed the 
enemy just at dark, as it was trying to carry their 
works. 

Our regiment has not been engaged to-day, but the 
suspense has been wearing. The rebel yell when they 
have made their various assaults at other places on 
the line to our left, and the ominous bull-dog-like 
silence along our lines till the roar of musketry com- 
menced when the enemy got in range, made one at 
the time almost breathless and his heart to stand still 
on any part of the line. It is awful ! But the rebel 
yell makes one clinch his teeth and determine that it 
shall be victory for us or death before we will give up 
our works. But I don't like war and wish it was well 
over. This is the real thing, though ! Grant don't 
play fight. 

Our casualties in the Wilderness including the 
Ninth Corps were 10,220 wounded, 2,902 missing, and 
2,265 killed, making a total of 15.387. The Con- 
federate loss was 6,000 wounded, 3,400 missing, and 



50 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

2,000 killed, making- a total of 11,400. The Tenth 
Vermont lost nine wounded and three killed. 

Sunday, May 8, 1864. 

It has been very warm and sultry. Our forces 
commenced a flank movement last night. We with- 
drew from the enemy's front about 10 o'clock p. m. 
and marched, via the Chancellorsville turnpike — 
where we passed many trains, our wounded and 
Burnside's Corps — through the old battlefield of 
Chancellorsville of a year ago, as far as Piney Branch 
Church, when we left the pike at Alsop's house, and 
after marching southerly some time on the Todd's 
Tavern road formed line of battle near Alsop's farm 
about 3 o'clock p. m., our Division being on the right 
of the Sixth Corps. We advanced across the Ny 
river — a mere creek — but meeting with a sharp ar- 
tillery fire from a rebel battery on the opposite ridge 
to us skirting the valley, we were ordered to halt. 
This was about three miles north of Spottsylvania 
Court House and is called the Battle of Alsop's Farm. 
Our regiment lost sixteen men here. Generals Rob- 
inson and Grifiin's Divisions of the Fifth Corps took 
two thousand prisoners and lost about one thousand. 

We continued to change position from one point 
to another till just after passing Spottsylvania when 
just before dark we found the enemy in our front in 
force. It had felled trees across the road which de- 
layed us considerably, but our artillery soon opened 
the way for us. We proceeded about two miles and 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 51 

found the enemy strongly intrenched across an open 
slightly rising field from us in the edge of the woods 
which was fiercely charged by us but without effect 
except to be repulsed with the field covered largely 
with our killed and badly wounded. General Meade 
was in rear of our regiment which formed a rear line 
in our assaulting column, superintending the assault, 
and when jocularly reminded by a wag that he 
(Meade) was in a dangerous place, he graciously 
replied: "It's safe enough behind a Vermont reg- 
iment anywhere !" Which was a clever thing to say 
to the men and they appreciated it. We threw up 
breastworks after the assault, uncomfortably close to 
the enemy and are well fortified, but not in as nat- 
urally a strong position as the enemy. Assaulting in 
the dark is unsatisfactory and very demoralizing. It 
ought not to be done when it can be avoided, one is 
so apt to shoot his own men and straggle into the 
enemy's lines and be captured ; it's very trying and 
nerve-taxing. It has been a strenuous day. 

Monday, May 9, 1864. 
Our army's line is about five miles long this morn- 
ing and runs northwest by southeast. General Han- 
cock occupies the right followed by General Warren, 
Generals Sedgwick and Burnside in the order men- 
tioned. Our batteries have been shelling the enemy 
fiercely all day and this evening, but the heaviest 
fighting seems to be on our left. Our regiment was 



52 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

terribly shelled when supporting batteries which has 
been all clay. We were ordered to lie flat on the 
ground in one instant and there's no doubt but what 
we did for the ground was a dead level and the shells 
whistled and shrieked very thickly and closely over 
us. It was terribly nerve-trying. The Johnnies 
didn't want to see us bad enough though, to come 
over and call. We could see many dead between the 
lines in our front a little to the left of where we 
supported a battery this morning, of both armies, 
as a result of the assault last night. It is a shocking 
sight, but such is war. 

Tuesday, May 10, 1864. 

Warm and sultry. The stench from the dead be- 
tween the lines is terrible. There has been hard 
fighting on our right all day. As for the Tenth Ver- 
mont it has been supporting a battery most of the 
time. According to rumor we have captured a large 
number of prisoners and several pieces of artillery. 
About 6 o'clock p. m. our batteries opened a tremen- 
dous fire on the enemy's works, and kept it up for 
two hours, but with what result I do not know, ex- 
cept that the guns in our front were silenced. It was 
a fine artillery duel and the roar appalling even to a 
practiced ear. We are getting the best of Lee in this 
battle but it's stubborn fighting on both sides. 

The accuracy with which our gunners fire is wonder- 
ful. I have seen one piece of the enemy's artillery 
opposite me turned completely over backwards car- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 53 

riage and all, by a solid shot from one of our guns 
in front of our regiment ; it evidently hit the enemy's 
cannon square in the muzzle. It is awe-inspiring to 
see the regularity, the determined set look and pre- 
cision with which our begrimed artillerymen stick to 
their work ; shot and shell screeching close by don't 
seem to disturb them. I was spellbound and speech- 
less with awe and admiration for their splendid pluck 
and nerve for some time, at first. No words can 
picture such a scene. I'd rather be a "doughboy"* 
though — anything but an artilleryman, for I hate 
shells and solid shot. I think I can face anything in 
a charge without flinching after this splendid ex- 
hibition of nerve. 

Our regiment relieved the One Hundred and Fifty- 
first Ohio Volunteer Infantry on the skirmish line 
to-night. I am on lookout in a grave-like hole about 
the length of a man some two feet deep on top of a 
hillock with cut bushes stuck all about as a mask in 
the soft dirt thrown from the hole. The cheerfully 
suggestive grave-like hole is wide enough for two, 
and I have Corporal Shedd with me. Even such a 
place is fine under the circumstances for there is a 
constant whizzing of bullets and shrieking shells over 
my abode. We are not more than fifty yards from 
our main line so close are the two armies at this point. 
We have to relieve each other at night stealthily under 
the cover of darkness. 



"An infantryman. 



54 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



WUDNESDAY, May 11, 1864. 

Very sultry until about 5 o'clock p. m. when the 
heavens became shrouded with dark and threatening 
clouds and a terrific thunder-storm followed, which 
continued till about dark, when our whippoorwill 
again dolefully sang out "Whip-em-well ! Whip-em- 
well !" as our men are pleased to interpret it. A 
whippoorwill has appeared midway between the lines 
every evening since we left winter camp, with its 
solemn song, until the men regard it as a good omen. 
It don't seem to occur to them that the enemy may 
regard it the same way, as meant for them to whip 
us. 

There has been a furious cannonading kept up by 
our side all day. The enemy has made three or 
four fruitless attempts to plant batteries, and return 
the fire in our front, but without success ; has been 
hard fighting on our left all day by the rest of the 
Sixth Corps and General Hancock's men : was re- 
lieved from my pit by Lieut. G. E. Davis. I ache 
all over from having been in the hole twenty-four 
hours in the same position. It wasn't safe to stand 
up nor did I try it, as it would draw the sharpshooter's 
fire up the trees, etc. One could only occasionally 
raise his head high enough to peek under the bushes, 
during lulls in firing, which masked our position as 
the place was almost continually under fire. It is 
close t)y on the ground occupied by our regiment and 
in its front that General Sedgwick, our Corps Com- 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 55 



mander, was killed by a sharpshooter when locating 
a battery, and where General W. H. Morris, our 
Brigade Commander was wounded when changing 
the position of two regiments which makes us doubly 
cautious. It's a dangerous point being high and 
furthest advanced of any part of the line. The 
stench from the dead is sickening and terrible. 

Thursday, May 12, 1864. 

Rained all night and incessantly till 10 o'clock a. 
m. There has been desperate fighting by the Sixth 
and Second Corps on our left all day at the "Bloody 
Angle" where they have held the enemy back as well 
as tried to take its works, but with great loss of life. 
This will evidently go down as one of the most bloody 
and desperate battles of the war. The Tenth Ver- 
mont was relieved by some of the Fifth Corps about 
3 o'clock p. m., our Division having been ordered 
further to the left adjoining the "Bloody Angle" or 
"Slaughter Pen." Just after we had stacked arms 
under the brow of a slight ridge next the bloody 
angle. Captain H. R. Steele wandered a little distance 
in front and almost immediately returned hopping 
along holding up his foot saying he was shot. I 
ordered some of the men to take him to the hospital. 

I am now in command of Company K. The men 
seem pleased, and I'm sure I am for I like the Com- 
pany. The men seem sensible, and I know them to 
be reliable good fighters. I am not sure but what 
they will win my esteem from Company B, but I 



56 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

never have been fickle ; there's room in my heart for 
all the men of the gallant old Tenth Vermont. They 
have faith in me and it's mutual. They will never 
be turned down by me. We are to bivouac on our 
arms in a dense growth of pine forest with the 
enemy immediately a short distance in front. Surely 
this fierce struggle of giant armies can't last more 
than a day more. Either one or the other will have 
to yield, and as we have had the best of it here thus 
far, it will be Lee. 

It is wet and depressing for the "Slaughter Pen" 
will be our portion next without Lee withdraws to- 
night which God grant he may do if it is His will. The 
thought that we may have to assault into the jaws 
of death at the bloody angle in the gray of the morn- 
ing is appalling for I am told there are thousands of 
dead and uncared for wounded on the field between 
the lines, and in the rebel works the dead and 
wounded lay in piles, the wounded bound in by the 
dead several deep. The rattle and roar of musketry 
and artillery is dreadful as I write and may continue 
all night. I am about to lie down perhaps for my 
last sleep, but I'm too exhausted to have the thought 
keep me awake for seldom has sleep, sweet sleep, been 
more welcome. But I have never thought I should 
be killed in battle. It's delightful to have perfect 
faith — the faith of a child in such a way. It helps one 
to go into battle, although I dread being wounded, it 
shocks the system so. I never go into a fight or take 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 57 



a railroad journey, though, without feeUng- reconciled 
to yield up my spirit to Him who gave it if it is His 
will. This gives one calmness and reconciliation un- 
speakable. God be praised for giving me such peace. 
This is my prayer. 

Friday, May 13, 1864. 

My prayer for Lee's withdrawal last night was 
granted. Our Division moved to the "Bloody Angle" 
this morning; it virtually joined our regiment's left 
last night. The enemy abandoned the angle during 
the night after three days' desperate fighting. No 
pen can fully describe the appearance of the battle- 
field—and yet our wounded and dead have been cared 
for, and some of the enemy's, by us and such are 
mostly out of view. The sight of the enemy's dead 
is something dreadful. There are three dead lines of 
battfe a half mile more or less in length— men killed 
in every conceivable manner. The wounded are fairly 
bound in by the dead. Lee abandoned his works 
leaving most of his wounded, and all his dead in our 
hands unburied. Several pieces of artillery were 
taken. Prisoners say that General Lee fought in per- 
son as it meant the loss of his army if his line was 
broken here, as well as Richmond. 

No wonder from its present appearance this place 
has been christened the "Bloody Angle" and the 
"Slaughter Pen." For several hundred yards— fully 
a half mile or more— in the edge of the heavy oak 
forest of immense trees skirting an open field, the 



58 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

enemy's works are faultlessly strong of large oak 
logs and dirt shoulder high with traverses fifty feet 
back every sixty feet or so. This breastwork is filled 
with dead and wounded where they fell, several deep 
nearly to the top in front, extending for forty feet 
more or less back gradually sloping from front to rear, 
to one deep before the ground can be seen. The dead 
as a whole as they lie in their works are like an im- 
mense wedge with its head towards the works. Think 
of such a mass of dead ! hundreds and hundreds piled 
top of each other ! At the usual distance in rear of 
these breastworks — about ninety feet — are two more 
complete dead lines of battle about one hundred feet 
apart the dead bodies lying where the men fell in 
line of battle shot dead in their tracks. The lines are 
perfectly defined by dead men so close they touch each 
other. Many of the bodies have turned black, the 
stench is terrible, and the sight shocking beyond 
description. I saw several wounded men in the 
breastworks buried under their dead, just move a hand 
a little as it stuck up through the interstices above the 
dead bodies that buried the live ones otherwise com- 
pletely from sight. Imagine such a sight if one can ! 
It is indescribable ! It was sickening, distressing and 
shocking to look upon! But, above all, think if one 
can of the feelings of the brave men who, regiment 
after regiment, were marched up in line of battle time 
and again for several days to fight with such a sight 
confronting them! Could anything in Hades be any 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 59 

worse ? Only the misery I imagine, of an uneasy 
conscience at some great wrong done an innocent 
person could exceed it. It seems like a horrible night- 
mare ! Such intrepidity is worthy of a better cause. 
Was there ever before such a shocking battlefield? 
Will the historian ever correctly record it? No pen 
can do it. The sight of such a horror only can 
fully portray it. 

The First and Second Divisions of the Sixth Corps 
and Hancock's men have done most of the fighting to- 
day at the "Bloody Angle." The Sixth Corps has 
lost eight hundred and forty wounded and two hun- 
dred and fifty killed. The loss of our army at Spott- 
sylvania Court House has been five thousand two 
hundred and thirty-three of which number nine hun- 
dred have been killed. Our Division has lost in this 
fight to-day twenty-three killed and one hundred and 
twenty-three wounded. I examined this forenoon an 
oak tree fully eighteen inches in diameter felled by 
being cut off by minie bullets at the apex of the 
"Bloody Angle" occupied by the enemy. I could 
hardly believe my eyes, but there stood the stump and 
the felled tree with the wood for two feet or more 
all eaten away by bullets.* 

Saturday, May 14, 1864. 
We were aroused several times during the night 
by sharp firing on the skirmish line. About daylight 



*The stump of this tree is on exhibition at the War 
Department in Washington, D. C, or was a few years since 
— L. A. A. 



60 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

we received an order to move further to the left, and 
soon found ourselves on the extreme flank of the old 
line of battle. Soon after we left our old position, 
the skirmish line that had caused us so much trouble 
during the night was captured. We found on ex- 
amination that Lee's army fell back during the night 
still further. We moved about two miles towards 
Spottsylvania Court House, charged across the valley 
and Ny river, and took possession of the heights 
where Lee's headquarters were this morning relieving 
the First Division of our Corps which had been hot- 
ly engaged. Thus we virtually part with the stage 
on which was fought one of the greatest battles of 
modern times if not in history, and no one regrets it ; 
it seems like a horrible dream. But how about the 
uneasy soiils — the remorse of those who are respon- 
sible for this war in the hereafter? What does it all 
mean, anyway? Is man irresponsible? Should he 
not have a care ? Verily ! 

Sunday, May 15, 1864. 
Cloudy, with a bracing air ; have thrown up a line of 
rifle pits along our front. The army is quiet to-day ; 
very little cannonading heard. Divine services were 
held in nearly every regiment in the Brigade ; wrote to 
Pert this forenoon. The Sixth Corps is encamped on 
as beautiful a plantation as I ever saw. It seems a 
pity to spoil such finely laid out grounds, but such is 
war. The whole Division got ready to move about 6 
o'clock a. m. but as the enemy remained quiet we did. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 61 



There's no picket firing to-night. I'm so tired and 
lousy I do wish we could stay somewhere long enough 
to wash and boil our underclothing. However, the 
general officers are as lousy as the rest of us for lice 
in war times know no caste. I saw a General lousing 
to-day. I hope this won't shock anyone when they 
read it after I have passed along. It's a part of the 
history of the civil war though, and should be 
recorded. 

Monday, May 16, 1864. 

It was sultry and warm until 4 o'clock p. m. when 
relief came through a fierce thunder-storm ; no fight- 
ing ; remained quietly in camp all day ; much appre- 
ciated mail came to-night ; got two letters from Pert, 
one from Abby and one from Dr. J. H. Jones. I 
know not how long we shall remain in this position, 
but God grant that this suspense will soon be ended. 
I dread another such battle as that of last week and 
hope we may avoid one for a while, anyway. 

Tuesday, May 17, 1864. 

Cloudy with wind ; regiment has been on the skirm- 
ish line ; have advanced about a mile by swinging our 
left round nearly parallel with our present line of 
battle ; met with no opposition ; enemy seems to be 
in the valley between the two flanks of our army ; no 
news to-day; army very quiet; can't continue long, 
as Grant seems to be cautiously working round both 
flanks of the enemy; things look suspicious to-night; 
mistrust something's afoot. 



62 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Wednesday, May 18, 1864. 
We were ordered to withdraw our line this morn- 
ing at 3 o'clock which we did without difficulty ; found 
our Corps had gone to the extreme right of the 
line to reinforce the Second Corps, quite a little brush 
having occurred between it and the enemy this morn- 
ing which was repulsed and driven back into the 
valley ; occupy the same ground we did yesterday ; 
have orders to march in the morning at daylight ; an- 
other mail came this evening; all's quiet. Perly 
Farrer was killed to-day on the skirmish line. He 
was a good boy, a member of my old Company B, 
of which I am so proud and fond. His remains 
will be numbered with the unknown dead, as it will 
be impossible to send them north now. He was a 
brave man and died manfully doing his whole duty. 
We can't even reach his body now. 

Thursday, May 19, 1864. 
We were ready according to orders to march early 
this morning. General Burnside moved his Corps to 
the left of us during the night. We all moved about 
a mile and a half to the left and threw up a new 
line of entrenchments: enemy about twelve hundred 
yards in our front ; weather fine ; small shower about 5 
o'clock p. m. cooled the air greatly; enemy quiet in 
our front, but heard heavy guns about dark on the 
extreme left; don't know the cause or result. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 63 

Friday, May 20, 1864. 
Weather very warm and sultry ; showery towards 
night ; enemy in front all day ; neither side seem ready 
for another fight at present ; no picket firing to-day 
to mention. General Meade rode along the line and 
seemed much pleased with our breastworks ; said if 
we could hold them eight days we should be all right ; 
don't know what he meant by this ; mail to-day ; all's 
quiet. 

Saturday, May 21, 1864. 

\"ery warm and sultry until about 5 o'clock p. m. 
when quite a hard thunder-storm come up and cooled 
off the air ; remained in our breastworks until about 4 
o'clock p. m. when the first line was abandoned for 
the second where we remained about an hour when 
all withdrew. Our Division was in rear and had not 
gone more than twenty-five rods from our works when 
the rebs charged on our picket line but without ef- 
fect in our front, except to make us double quick 
back and reoccupy our intrenchments where we re- 
mained about two hours then quietly withdrew and 
marched all night. It's been a worrying day. Since 
the fourteenth we've done nothing but march and 
countermarch and change about. 

Sunday, May 22, 1864. 

The enemy appeared on our right flank about 3 
o'clock a. m. evidently with the intention of cutting 
us off from the rest of the army, but didn't succeed. 
It has been very warm all day, and by far the most 



64 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

difficult marching we have had during the campaign ; 
encamped near Bowling Green. General Hancock is 
reported ten miles ahead of us ; no fighting to-day. 

Monday, May 23, 1864. 
We were ordered to be in readiness to march at 4 
o'clock this morning, but did not start till near 9 
o'clock a. m. ; marched until about 11 o'clock a. m., 
and encamped about three miles from the North Anna 
river ; heavy artillery firing heard in the direction of 
the river ; have not heard the result ; very warm all 
day, but the men bear the heat grandly. General 
Longstreet's Corps is only about three miles ahead 
of us from which it would seem we are chasing him 
— anyway, have captured many of his stragglers. It's 
intensely hot. 

Tuesday, May 24, 1864. 
The weather continues very warm, but thanks to 
the citizens along our line of march for their ice 
houses we are doing very well by helping ourselves to 
such needed comforts as happen to be in sight. Prob- 
ably they would rather the Johnnies should have them, 
but they are on their last legs — they are playing out. 
We broke camp this morning about 6 o'clock a. m. ; 
arriving at the North Anna river about 10 o'clock a. m. ; 
found the Fifth Corps had crossed last night after 
a hard artillery duel which was what we heard. We 
crossed the river at Jericho Mills and laid on the 
south side of the river until 6 o'clock p. m., and then 
moved to the left to reinforce General Russell ; saw 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 65 



General U. S. Grant to-day for the first time, at his 
mess table under a tent fly; was in his shirtsleeves; 
good view. The men enjoyed the bathing this after- 
noon greatly. The whole army seemingly has been 
in swimming. At any rate I never saw so many in 
bathing at once before or those who seemed to enjoy 
it more. It was a sight to be remembered. We 
'marched towards the South Anna river till 8 o'clock 
p. m. when we ran into the enemy's pickets, fell back 
a little, camped and threw up breastworks. 

Wednesday, May 25, 1864. 

It has been a very warm day, but we have not had 
to march much ; laid on our arms in line of battle last 
night behind our works at Quarks' Mills ; no skirm- 
ishing in front till this morning. A portion of the 
Sixth Corps passed by us to the left and ran into the 
enemy a few rods beyond. Our brigade started about 
10 o'clock a. m. and marched to Noles Station as did 
the First Division of our Corps. We burned the 
depot, destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad for 
about seven miles, and returned to the train ; remained 
there about an hour, changed position to the left about 
two miles and camped for the night. 

Thursday, May 26, 1864. 

We were ordered on picket last night ; no ap- 
pearance of an_y enemy in our front ; men enjoying the 
novelty of foraging greatly ; rained hard about an 
hour this morning and has been cloudy and gloomy 
all day ; has been quiet most of the time along the 



66 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



line, too ; not much going on save the countermarching 
of troops ; possibly General Grant is covering another 
flank movement ; enemy seem to be in force on the 
south side of Little river. 

Friday, May 27, 1864. 

As I expected the army has commenced another 
flank movement to the left. We were ordered to hold 
the line until 1 1 o'clock then withdraw quietly and 
overtake the balance of the army. Goodness ! I 
wonder if we are always to be rear guard? It's wor- 
rying, besides, we have to march so rapidly, such duty 
should be passed round. We crossed the North Anna 
about three miles below Noles Station. It has been 
terrible marching the roads are so blocked with army 
supply wagons or trains — however we have made a 
thirty-mile march and find ourselves near the ford at 
Hanover Court House. The men stood the march 
well for we are on the road to Richmond. Goodness ! 
but I'm tired. 

Saturday, May 28, 1864. 

I wrote hastily yesterday, as we were ordered to 
move about the time I tommenced ; rested well last 
night ; marched at 7 o'clock a. m. ; arrived at the 
Pawmunky river about noon and crossed at Nelson's 
Ferry on a pontoon bridge without difficulty as our 
cavalry held the place ; did not advance far south of 
the river before we ran into the enemy and captured 
two pieces of artillery ; have been building breast- 
works this evening ; are camped on Dr. Pollard's 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 67 

plantation, a lovely place, but much neglected owing- 
to the war. Slight shower just at dark. 

Sunday, May 29, 1864. 

Weather quite cool and comfortable ; no fighting to- 
day ; only twenty miles from Richmond — Hurrah ! 
The negroes were much frightened when they saw the 
Yankee army approach, but have become very much 
tamed in twenty-four hours ; said the Johnnies told 
them we had horns, would cut off their arms, etc. 
Poor things ! they were actually frightened, and 
showed it by their bulging eyes, looks and manner. It 
was comical ! General Russell has gone on a recon- 
noissance to Hanover Court House. It's rumored 
that General R. E. Lee is dead, but I believe it's a 
fake. 

Monday, May 30, 1864. 

Very sultry with intense heat ; has not rained to- 
day as usual. We were ordered to move from Dr. 
Pollard's in a westerly course to the right about day- 
light ; have been changing positions all day, and yet 
we have been cautiously advancing on Richmond; are 
now within twelve miles of the Confederate capital 
with the rebel army in our immediate front. In order 
to get here we crossed Crump's Creek towards Han- 
over Court House. When nearing Atler's Station 
about noon we were ordered back to support the Sec- 
ond Corps which was engaging the enemy near 
Totopotomy Creek. We marched in a sweltering and 
almost exhausted condition to the Hanover turnpike 



68 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

which we had left in the morning but soon again left 
it cutting cross-lots through a swamp and heavy oak 
forest where a road was being cut for artillery, and 
soon went into line of battle on the left of General 
Birney's Division about mid-afternoon. We were or- 
dered to charge but the order was countermanded. 
The lines here ran about north and south. The 
enemy's picket line kept up a sharp fusilade all night, 
as a blufif to enable its force here to withdraw in order 
to form another line called the Totopotomy, so as to 
cover several roads leading to Richmond including the 
Shady Grove Church road at Hantley's Corners, and 
the Walnut Grove Church road as well as the Me- 
chanicsville turnpike, etc. Our line was changed to 
meet the enemy's, but we made no assault. The 
enemy was evidently greatly worried as it kept up 
a heavy artillery fire and made one or two fruitless 
assaults. Did they but know our strength they 
would know better than to charge our works ; but 
they are plucky fellows. 

Tuesday, May 31, 1864. 
As beautiful a morning as I ever saw ; men are 
feeling better since they drew rations ; had been with- 
out two days; heavy skirmishing in front. Our ar- 
tillery shelled the enemy out of its first line of works 
about noon. We moved up and occupied them with- 
out difficulty; enemy has made several useless at- 
tempts to shell us but have done no harm. Our own 
batteries have been shelling the enemy over us, but 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 69 



have wounded more of our men than the enemy. The 
Tenth Vermont is on the skirmish Hne to-night. To- 
day's experience when our batteries threw shells over 
us at the enemy and hurt so many of our men was 
the most exasperating of the campaign. Such stupid- 
ity ought to be punished, as the artillerymen could 
plainly see that their shells were exploding close over 
us and several hundred yards short of the enemy. 

Wednesday, June i, 1864. 
It has been a terribly warm day. The enemy being 
too well posted at Totopotomy to attack, Grant con- 
cluded to move to Cold Harbor about fifteen miles 
away, last night. General Sheridan had taken it yes- 
terday afternoon but being hard pressed by the 
enemy's Infantry he had started to leave when he was 
ordered by General Meade not to do so. The Sixth 
Corps in accordance with this plan started for that 
point at about 2 o'clock this morning over a narrow 
road leading a part of the way through swamps which 
are the source of the Totopotomy and Matadequin 
rivers, arriving at Cold Harbor which was being held 
by General Custer's Cavalry, at about 2 o'clock this 
afternoon. Characteristic of Custer when in a hot 
place, his band was playing Hail Columbia while his 
men were fighting like Trojans to hold their ground. 
He had had a goodly number killed and wounded who 
lay on the field uncared for because all his men were 
absolutely required for fighting in order to hold the 
place. Soon the dry grass and underbrush took 



70 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

fire and the helpless wounded were roasted to death, 
their charred remains being found afterwards. It 
was a sad sight for any one, and especially a thought- 
ful person. 

Our line of battle consists of the Sixth and 
Eighteenth Corps, Major General W. F, Smith com- 
manding the latter of about ten thousand men just 
from Bermuda Hundred being on the right of the 
line. Our Corps with its Third, First and Second Di- 
visions in the order named from right to left was on 
the left of the line. The Third Division, Sixth Corps 
went into line about 3 o'clock p. m. just west of an 
old tavern at Cold Harbor Cross Roads or Old Cold 
Harbor, from which tavern the place probably took its 
name, owing to its custom of entertaining especially at 
an early day when its grounds were allowed for camp- 
ing purposes to travelers and they cared mostly for 
themselves. 

Our part of the line was in an open field behind 
a narrow strip of woods with the enemy's breastworks 
just beyond about a mile more or less away in our 
front. We were formed by regiments four lines 
deep. Our regiment was on the skirmish line all 
night on Totopotomy Creek, but was relieved about 
daylight and after a hot dusty march joined our Di- 
vision in the foregoing position just in season for 
the assault at about 6 o'clock p. m., our brigade be- 
ing on the left of our Division. We were all worn 
out from being on the skirmish line all night followed 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 71 



by a rapid but all-day march, so near asleep at times 
en route as to frequently actually unconsciously march 
into scrub trees by the wayside or anything else in 
the line of march before awaking. It was simply im- 
possible to keep awake as overtaxed nature had 
reached its limit. 

We were ordered to guide left on the First Division 
of the Sixth Corps in the assault, but owing to some 
misunderstanding at first there was some delay, but 
our brigade soon got in motion and advanced rapidly 
in unbroken lines soon all alone on its right, until 
broken by the woods, leaving the troops on our right 
far in the rear, which caused us to oblique to the 
right when, before we were half-way through the 
woods and swamp which were wider in our front than 
to our left, our brigade had deployed so we had only 
one line of battle where I was with no support on my 
right whatever which, owing to an enfilading fire from 
the enemy in that direction, greatly handicapped the 
right of the line here. This caused quite a sharp 
angle in the Union line of battle at this point, and 
when we were afterwards drawn back a little to con- 
nect with our right it brought our line of works here 
closer the enemy's than at any other point. The fact 
is we had no support either in rear or to our right 
and were in a precarious situation until drawn back 
in continuous line of battle with the rest of the assault- 
ing line. 



72 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

It was a determined charge though, through the 
woods and swamp. It was my first experience as 
Company Commander in an assault, and it did seem 
queer to step in front of my men to lead them, one 
of if not the youngest among them. But I was on 
my mettle and had I known a solid shot would haye 
cut me in part the next second, pride would have kept 
me up to the rack, for the Company Commanders of 
the Tenth Vermont did not follow but led their men 
in battle ever after the first one at Locust Grove and 
some did there. The men of Company K are splen- 
did fighters, and I am proud of them. If there was 
a man who shirked I didn't see him. They followed 
me splendidly, have gained my respect and esteem, 
and I shall hate to give up the Company when the 
time comes to do so. 

A part of our Division together with General 
Emery Upton's Brigade of our Corps, quite largely 
went over the enemy's works in the assault to-night, 
but could not hold them because not supported on 
either flank. It was a plucky fight. Our opponents 
were Generals Hoke, Kershaw, Pickett and Field's 
Divisions. General Clingman's Brigade was on the 
right of Hoke's Division, and was badly broken up 
in the assault, as well as the Brigade on either side 
of his, one of which belonged to Kershaw's Division. 
Our regiment captured the Fifty-first North Carolina 
Infantry, the commanding officer of which sur- 
rendered his sword to Captain E. B. Frost of Com- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 73 

pany A, acting Major. Our Division and Upton's 
Brigade captured five hundred prisoners, most of whom 
were probably taken by our regiment. Such as were 
taken by it were sent to the rear, without guard, but 
were again picked up en route so we got no credit 
for them. We could not spare men to send them un- 
der guard for we had more than we could do to hold 
the works after taking them. 

The loss in the Sixth Corps was twelve hundred, 
of which over eight hundred were from our Division. 
The splendid work of the Third Division here put it 
in full fellowship with the rest of the Sixth Corps. 
We had proved our mettle grandly even if a shorter 
time in service than the Second and 4%«=« Divisions. 
The loss from our Brigade was twenty-one officers, 
seven of whom were killed, ten wounded and four 
were taken prisoners ; one hundred enUsted men were 
also killed and two hundred and seventy-five wounded. 
Our regiment lost nineteen killed and sixty-two 
wounded, and Company K, one killed and four 
wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Townsend of the One 
Hundred and Sixth New York, Lieutenants Ezra 
Stetson of Company B, and C. G. Newton of Com- 
pany G, Tenth Vermont, were killed ; Colonel W, W. 
Henry and Lieutenant William White of the Tenth 
Vermont, Colonel W. S. Truex of the Fourteenth New 
Jersey, commanding First Brigade, Colonel Schall of 
the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania were wounded, and 
Major McDonald of the One Hundred and Sixth New 



74 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

York and Lieutenant J. S. Thompson of Company A, 
Tenth Vermont were taken prisoners and two other 
officers. 

Thursday, June 2, 1864. 

Oh, dear, another shocking battle on hand ! But 
we can lick them ! I dread it, though ! We laid 
on our arms in line of battle last night; heavy skir- 
mishing continued in our front all night ; built rifle pits 
this morning ; men very tired ; ordered to assault this 
evening at 4 o'clock, but it rained and the order was 
countermanded until morning thus prolonging the 
agony ; drew rations for the Company to-night ; am 
getting very tired of this campaign and shall be glad 
when it's over, but I suppose it will last a month 
longer. The enemy is doing its utmost to gain a vic- 
tory, but God grant that we may be the victors if it is 
His will. 

Friday, June 3, 1864. 

It still continues to rain a little, but for all this the 
Second, Sixth and Eighteenth Corps in the order 
mentioned from right to left, were ordered to charge 
at 4 o'clock a. m. and not to fire a shot until we got 
on to the enemy's works, but the charge was not a 
success. We never even reached the enemy's works. 
The attack commenced on the right and ran along the 
line until it reached the left. We advanced under a 
murderous fire in our front from the enemy's artil- 
lery, sharpshooters and when in range of its main line 
of battle and were simply slaughtered. We have lost 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 75 



to-day over 4,000 in killed and wounded. The total 
casualties June first and third have been 12,000, of 
which about 10,000 have been killed and wounded. 
The number killed in the Tenth Vermont since Tues- 
day is twenty-two and one hundred and twenty-nine 
wounded; and in Company K to-day one killed and 
five wounded. Two killed and nine wounded in two 
days greatly weakens my command. Captains Lucius 
T. Hunt and Pearl D. Blodgett were wounded, and 
Captain E. B. Frost was shot through the head and 
killed after the assault, by a sharpshooter. The 
Tenth Vermont lost sixty-two to-day in killed and 
wounded. We are now intrenching and ordered to 
act on the defensive. The men of Company K are 
cool, splendid fighters. 

As I sat on the ground this morning with my back 
against a sapling in the woods, a sharpshooter planked 
a bullet in the ground about an inch from the calf of 
my right leg which covered me with flying dirt. He 
could see my blue pants through the green foliage. 
I moved. Colonel Schall who was wounded in the 
arm in the assault on June first and carried it in a 
sling in the fight to-day, was again wounded in the 
same arm. He is not a man to take advantage of a 
wound not totally disabling him to get out of a fight, 
evidently. 

Saturday, June 4, 1864, 

The enemy made two unsuccessful assaults last 
night. Reinforcements are arriving rapidly. The 



76 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

rain yesterday and this afternoon has greatly cooled 
the air. There has been considerable cannonading 
on both sides and heavy skirmishing all day. The 
lines of battle in our immediate front are only about 
eight hundred yards apart and the skirmish lines are 
very near each other. The One Hundred and Sixth 
New York Volunteer Infantry, our favorite fighting 
companion as a regiment, a& digging another line of 
rifle pits in our front for the pickets. I got a letter 
from Captain H. R. Steele this afternoon. General 
Grant issued an order to-day for the army to act on 
the defensive. Good ! 

Sunday, June 5, 1864. 
It rained nearly all the forenoon, but the skir- 
mishers didn't seem to mind it, but kept on fighting. 
It was cloudy and sultry all this afternoon, but there 
was no rain. The enemy tried to assault about dark 
last night, but gave it up as our artillery had an en- 
- filading fire on them. There was a very heavy rolling 
musketry fire on our distant right about midnight, 
but I don't know the reason of it. The enemy tried 
to carry our left flank about dark by storm, but failed. 
The roll of artillery and musketry fire was appalling 
for about a half hour, and the slaughter must have 
been great. Golly ! this is stubborn fighting again ! 
I'm proud of both armies. I wonder what the John- 
nies think of us as fighters now? I'm sure they fight 
hard enough for me. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 77 



Monday, June 6, 1864. 
To-day has been sweltering hot. We lay in our 
works until about dark when a part of our regiment 
was ordered for picket. I am not detailed this time. 
Lieutenants Merritt Barber and George E. Davis, 
Tenth Vermont, reported for duty this afternoon. 
Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Henry's commission as 
Colonel Tenth Vermont came, also Major C. G. 
Chandler's as Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain Samuel 
Darrah was shot through the head this afternoon by 
a sharpshooter while sitting by his Company, and died 
at 2 o'clock p. m. His remains will be sent to Ver- 
mont. He was my captain and I am very sorry for 
his untimely end. He was a brave little fellow, 
jolly, clever and kind, always full of life and will 
be greatly missed. A flag of truce was sent out in 
front of our division to-day ; don't know what it 
was for; has been quiet all day; men all burrowed 
under bomb-proof covers. We sunk big square holes 
in the ground about two feet deep large enough to 
hold about eight or more men, and roofed them with 
logs, brush and dirt, but it's very warm to have to live 
so. It's fine, though, when bombs are bursting which 
they often do. 

Tuesday, June 7, 1864. 
It has been very quiet along the lines all day ; both 
sides seem to be tired of sharpshooting. Another 
flag of truce was sent out to-day, I think to get per- 
mission to bury our dead between the lines of which 



78 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

there are many plainly to be seen and they are com- 
mencing to smell bad ; am told Major Crandall of 
the Sixth Vermont, just to the right of us, was shot 
to-day by a sharpshooter. He was a popular student 
once at Barre Academy, Vermont. Captain Edwin 
Dillingham reported for duty to-day ; has been pris- 
oner of war at Richmond since the battle of Locust 
Grove, Va. last fall ; never saw him looking better ; 
is a handsome man, anyway, and a gentleman. Our 
army seems to be lying idle now, except the heavy 
artillery which is building forts in our rear; occa- 
sionally hear the report of siege guns to our left — 
or we suppose them to be siege guns. 

Wednesday, June 8, 1864. 
Still we remain in the same position. Both armies 
seem to be preparing for defense operations. I have 
no doubt but what Grant intends to hold this line, 
but I think it far from his intentions to attack the rebs 
here again. Probably he will soon move round Lee's 
left flank and then perhaps build another chain of 
forts ; really hope he will manage in some way to get 
round so much assaulting; enemy threw a few shells 
just at dark which all went over us; no change to- 
night. 

Thursday, June 9, 1864. 
Very warm all day ; sharpshooters keep pecking 
away at us but don't accomplish much. Occasionally 
a shell has been thrown by each side all day ; enemy 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 79 

seems to throw shells oftener at night; shall be glad 
when we are out of range of the enemy's sharp- 
shooters for one. It's not comfortable to be shot at 
every time one shows himself in daylight; have been 
writing letters to-day, one to Pert and another to 
Susan Wheeler ; enemy shelling quite lively to-night, 
but shells all go over us and explode far in our rear 
among the camp-followers and hospitals where it is 
said to be more dangerous than here at the front, 
they suffer greatly from shells there. 

Friday, June 10, 1864. 
Oh, dear ! Another day finds us in the same old po- 
sition. I wonder if this awful war will ever find an end ? 
It looks worse to me than ever. Here we are within 
ten miles of Richmond, and I can't see any prospect 
of our ever getting nearer to it without sacrificing half 
our noble army, and this in my opinion won't pay. 
But I fear I am getting faint-hearted! I must have 
more faith in our Generals. Indeed, I think I have 
faith in them, but they can't do what they want 
without they have the men to do it with. 

Saturday, June 11, 1864. 
Goodness ! We traveled all night and haven't got 
out of sight of our old position. Did ever anyone 
see such stupidity? I'm getting more fault-finding 
than an old maid, but loss of sleep and shattered 
nerves from being overtaxed in every way will ac- 
count for it. Nature will collapse when continually 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



over-taxed. Fm all out of patience, but it will do no 
good to mutter, so I'll stop. We relieved a portion 
of the Second Corps to-day ; don't know where they 
are going ; probably some strategic movement afoot ; 
was sent out on picket about noon. It's not a very 
agreeable job to relieve the skirmish line in day- 
light when the enemy is so near, yet we did it ; heavy 
cannonading to-night. 

Sunday, June 12, 1864. 
Relieved the skirmish line yesterday without great 
difificulty ; all quiet through the night ; not a gun fired 
to-day thus far in front of us ; can hear the rebs talk 
and sing quite plain in our immediate front ; was 
informed this afternoon the army would move to- 
night at 7 o'clock; dread leaving the skirmish line, 
but I suppose we can do it; very quiet this evening; 
bands playing and big guns booming; wonder if it 
isn't a bluff? The moon is shining brightly. 

Monday, June 13, 1864. 
The effective force of our regiment now is twelve 
officers and three hundred and fifty-two enlisted men. 
We left Vermont with a thousand enlisted men or 
more. I wrote hastily last evening, being crowded 
for time. I left the skirmish line in the dark without 
difficulty, but it was very nerve-trying. My post was 
in second growth hard timber, and the enemy could 
be plainly heard creeping up close — very close, within 
a few feet, to see if we had gone after dark. When 
one's alone in the dark under such circumstances 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 81 

and he don't know but what all his comrades are 
miles away on the march except his part of the skir- 
mish line, such conditions are disconcerting, for pickets 
are sometimes sacrificed when an army moves. The 
enemy mistrusting our designs followed us up closely 
— so close we had to run with hair on end to get 
away without drawing their fire for if we did it 
meant perhaps that we would be abandoned to our fate 
by the assembled picket a goodly distance off await- 
ing us. But O, what a reUef it was when we joined 
the reserve! We were on the extreme left and the 
last to leave the enemy's front as our position pro- 
tected our army in its flank movement. It was the 
most trying similar position I have ever been in up 
to this time during the war. We traveled like race- 
horses all night and to-day, and I, at least, was fre- 
quently so near asleep while marching in the heat of 
the day, as to unconsciously walk right up against 
any object in my path which would of course arouse 
me; marched about twenty miles, but I should think 
it was forty — indeed, forty is what we called it at the 
time — via Charles City Court House and bivouaced 
at Jones bridge on the Chickahominy. I don't think 
I was ever so tired in my life as to-night ; don't think 
I could march much further; got a daily paper to-day 
for the first time since we left our winter quarters. 
We were the rear of the army last night, and it was 
a trial to wait after leaving the skirmish line till all 
the men of the Division assembled before taking up 



82 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

our line of march. I got testy several times in the 
night walking- into scrub trees by the wayside half 
asleep. We laughed at each other for doing it, 
though, for we have our fun even under the most 
trying circumstances. 

Tuesday, June 14, 1864. 

Very cool and comfortable for this season ; marched 
about six miles this morning and went into camp ; 
have remained here all day and possibly shall to- 
night ; hope to at any rate for I am very tired and 
need rest; was ordered back to take command of 
Company D this morning; am not much sorry for 
the change for it's my Company. We are only a 
short distance from the James river ; can hear the 
steamboats whistle plainly. It does seem so good 
not to hear musketry and picket firing, but from force 
of habit I hear both in my sleep nights. Our army 
excepting the First and Third Divisions of our Corps 
crossed the river here to-day on a pontoon bridge. It 
took one hundred pontoons to construct the bridge 
which is held in place by large vessels at anchor above 
and below the bridge, especially during the ebb and 
flow of the tide which is about four feet. For the 
last ten miles before reaching here we passed through 
a fine country and community with fine old planta- 
tions and houses surrounded with lovely flowers and 
beautifully embowered. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 83 



m 



Wednesday, June 15, 1864. 
Weather quite warm all day; about 9 o'clock a. 
. changed positions to the left; remained till night, 
and then moved still further to the left and finally 
camped for the night. A part of the regiment has 
gone on picket. I am not going ; no news to-day. I 
have been thinking quite seriously that I will go 
home this winter and fit myself for a profession — not 
that I am getting tired of military life but think it 
for my interests in the long run ; am undecided what 
I will do. I don't believe I shall be a quitter, 
though, for I am not weak that way. No patriot 
resigns in the face of the enemy when his country 
needs his services. 

Thursday, June 16, 1864. 
About 5 o'clock a. m. a small force including our 
regiment, moved down within about three quarters of 
a mile of the James river, formed line of battle and 
threw up rifle pits; remained here until about 4 
o'clock p. m. when we were relieved by General 
Burnside's Division of colored troops. We then 
marched down to the river and took transports for 
Point of Rocks ; the Tenth Vermont was favored by 
going on the dispatch boat; had plenty of room and 
a fine time. The quiet moonlight night and cool 
river breeze were delightfully enchanting after such 
war experiences as we had passed through. It 
seemed heavenly! I withdrew to a lonely corner 
by myself and gave myself up to reflection and feel- 



84 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

ings of thankfulness ; has been hot all day. It is 
reported that General W. F. Smith has taken the 
outer works of Petersburg, Va., captured sixteen 
pieces of artillery and twenty-five hundred prisoners. 
I hardly believe it. I know what such fighting 
means too well. Such victories don't grow on 
bushes to be plucked by every one passing. 

Friday^ June 17, 1864. 
We arrived at Point of Rocks at i o'clock a. m., 
marched about three miles, got coffee and joined 
our brigade in General B. F. Butler's breastworks 
at the front; have been idle all day. About dark 
our skirmish line was driven in, and our regiment was 
sent out to support the line until reestablished, but as 
they could not succeed in this we withdrew and went 
back to camp. We expected to have to assault the 
enemy's formidable fortifications, and were greatly 
relieved when we were withdrawn. General H. G. 
Wright opposed General Butler in an assault on the 
enemy's works here and won his point, it is said. 

Saturday, June 18, 1864. 
The number of prisoners captured yesterday by 
General Smith was only about five hundred, not twen- 
ty-five hundred as reported. The works were carried 
by storm by colored troops, but they couldn't have 
taken them if the forts had been fully garrisoned, 
by veterans instead of citizens. We have remained 
behind our works all day ; brisk skirmishing in front. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 85 



and cannonading towards Petersburg; gunboats have 
thrown a few shells into the enemy's lines. I got 
letters from home to-night; all well there. 

Sunday, June 19, 1864. 

It was warm and sultry in the middle of the day. 
We remained in our works till about 5 o'clock p. m, 
when on being relieved by General W. F. Smith's 
command, we at once started for Petersburg about 
eight miles away to rejoin the Army of the Potomac, 
crossing the Appomattox river on the pontoon bridge, 
and arriving at the outer works about 8 o'clock p. 
m. where we bivouaced. Generals Grant and But- 
ler rode along the lines together at Bermuda Hundred 
this afternoon. It was my first sight of Butler; 
queer-looking man ; his beauty won't kill him. 

Monday, June 20, 1864.. 
Have just returned from the heights. The City 
of Petersburg looks lovely at a distance, but our guns 
command it and can at any time lay it in ruins. The 
enemy occupy the heights on the other side of the 
Appomattox river. Siege guns are shelling back 
and forth, but it's no such fighting as we have seen 
since we broke winter quarters. We have remained in 
the woods all day, it's been so warm. Orry Blanchard 
called to-night; am detailed for fatigue — probably to 
work a detail on fortifications. 



86 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



Tuesday, June 21, 1864. 

I worked a fatigue party on a fort all night arriv- 
ing in camp about 5 o'clock a. m. tired and hungry; 
slept until about 6 o'clock p. m. when we were ordered 
to march. We moved out on the Jerusalem plank road 
to where our cavalry were skirmishing on the ground 
to the left of our army which we were expected to 
occupy, and halted about 9 o'clock p. m. Although it 
was dark we threw out a skirmish line, forced the 
enemy back, captured several prisoners, camped and 
commenced to throw up breastworks having joined 
our line with the Second Corps on our right. The 
First, Second and Third Divisions, Sixth Corps, in the 
order mentioned from the right now form the left of 
our army. General Grant is simply extending his line 
to the left. Colonel W. W. Henry took command of 
the regiment last night. I have received a letter from 
Lieutenant G. E. Davis at Annapolis ; is doing well. 
The One Hundred and Sixth New York captured a 
Johnny to-night under singular circumstances but 
I've not room to relate them. 

Wednesday, June 22, 1864. 

It's very warm and dry and the dust is intolerable 
it's so sandy. We remained in our rifle pits until 
about 9 o'clock a. m. when we advanced and finding 
the enemy gone occupied their works till about 3 
o'clock p. m. when we threw up another line of pits, 
and were then ordered to fall back to our line of last 
night, but finally charged through the brush about 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. S7 



two miles and captured another line of works without 
resistance. There has been considerable confusion 
to-day. While on the skirmish line the Eighty- 
seventh Pennsylvania of our brigade came near being 
captured from the fact that for some unaccountable 
reason the picket line next on one of its flanks was 
withdrawn unknown to Colonel Schall, when the 
enemy crept through the opening and captured about 
a dozen men, but seeing what was the matter, Colonel 
Schall, a splendid officer, took such action as was nec- 
essary and saved his regiment. In another instance 
the First Division of our Corps, which had moved 
more slowly than ours and not as wished, found it- 
self and its skirmish line partly a goodly distance be- 
hind our division. It was amusing to say the least, 
at any rate to us. We finally got things straightened 
out with the Second Division on our left but con- 
siderably in rear with its left refused to protect its 
flank. The first Division occupied a similar position 
on our right but a goodly distance in our rear, 

Thursday, June 23, 1864. 
This has been the warmest day yet this summer, 
and no sign of rain. We remained in line all day 
without intrenching when the enemy began to make 
quite a demonstration on our left. We threw up 
rifle pits but our division was so far in advance of 
the other two of our Corps, the rebs had a cross fire 
on us. Our skirmishers have been on the Weldon 
railroad most of the day until finally the First Divi- 



88 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

sion of our Corps began to destroy the track. It had 
only just begun when the force sent from the Ver- 
mont Brigade and the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania 
of our brigade to protect it, were attacked, surrounded 
and about five hundred, including four officers and 
seventy-nine enlisted men from the Eighty-seventh, 
were either killed or taken prisoners. The Eighty- 
seventh had twenty-six killed and wounded. After 
this we all retired to the line occupied by us on the 
2ist of June. 

Friday, June 24, 1864. 

Intensely warm and still ; no prospect of rain ; re- 
mained in our rear line of works until about 9 o'clock 
a. m. when we received orders to move out by the left 
flank into our first line of works. Our skirmish line 
has been driven in once and probably five hundred 
were taken prisoners by the enemy. This is rather 
discouraging but we must expect to meet with some 
reverses. Rebel prisoners have been sent in to-day ; 
they speak hopefully of their cause, but I have no 
doubt but what the Union cause will triumph. 
Saturday, June 25, 1864. 

Still we are behind our works sweltering in the 
sun. The only way we can possibly keep comfortable 
is to stick up brush which gives us a little shade ; 
enemy made no attack last night as expected on our 
left. The Second Corps was attacked during the 
night, the enemy gaining some advantage, but our 
troops rallied and regained what they had lost. It's 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 89 



quite comfortable this evening; the bands are all 
playing, and seem determined to help us pass the 
time as pleasantly as possible in spite of our uncom- 
fortable surroundings. But if we are uncomfortable 
what condition must the enemy be in? It's a poor 
soldier who never thinks of such things. 

Sunday, June 26, 1864. 
Another Sabbath morning has dawned, and finds 
us in the same uncomfortable position as yesterday, 
yet I will not complain of the intense heat as long 
as we can remain quiet. We get plenty of lemons 
and ice from the Sanitary Commission which allevi- 
ates our discomforts considerably. The enemy still 
permits us to remain quiet, but are less lenient to 
those on our right, as fighting was kept up all night. 
Burnside was attacked but held his own. 

Monday, June 27, 1864. 
There was considerable thunder during the night, 
but no rain here, yet it has been cooler to-day than 
yesterday. We have a few lemons left. Captain 
Edwin Dillingham's commission as Major came this 
forenoon ; regiment goes on picket to-night ; slight 
shower with thunder about 4 o'clock p. m. and it's 
cooler. 

Tuesday, June 28, 1864. 
We relieved the Fourteenth New Jersey from 
picket; all quiet through the night; made my head- 
quarters with the reserve in an orchard where we 



90 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

got plenty of green apples, etc. ; was relieved by the 
One Hundred and Sixth New York after dark. On 
returning from picket was happily surprised to find 
that preparations had been made to go into camp, 
and that the men of my Company had a tent all up 
for me. The Company (D) generally looks after 
me very nicely. This Company, too, is a splendid 
fighting one with me, anyway ; but, as we have been 
in tight places, I guess K Company has won my ad- 
miration as a valiant one over all others, except Com- 
pany B, which will follow me anywhere I lead, as 
it did over the fence at Locust Grove, Va. in a plucky 
charge for which we never got credit. It was only 
bandbox soldiers who were seen that day and men- 
tioned in orders. 

Wednesday, June 29, 1864. 
Very warm and dry again this morning. General 
H. G. Wright, our corps commander, had an inspec- 
tion and review at 7 o'clock this morning. It seemed 
so strange to be called out again for parade I hardly 
knew how to act. But what seems strange is that 
they should commence this thing when the men are 
all tired out. They need a day's rest more than any- 
thing else. I do wish they would consider the welfare 
of the men more. Well, here we are again ! have 
marched all afternoon and turned up at Reames Sta- 
tion on the Weldon railroad ; didn't know but what 
we were marching round to go into the back door of 



VIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 91 



Petersburg- or Richmond. I'm half dead with 
fatigue, 

Thursday, June 30, 1864. 
Quite warm, but a fairly cool breeze. The First and 
Second Divisions of our Corps worked all night de- 
stroying the railroad and are at it now, our forces 
having burnt the depot ; have made thorougli work of 
it ; think it must have been quite a business place here 
once, but it is now a mass of ruins. Our division 
has been building breastworks; had just got them 
nicely completed when we were ordered back late in 
the day to our old position as we supposed, but 9 
o'clock p. m. finds us in camp for the night two miles 
from there. 

Friday, July i, 1864. 
Well, here it is the first day of July ! Who would 
think it? We have been fighting two months, and 
the time (July 4th), set by thousands for the down- 
fall of the Confederate capital is close at hand, yet 
it cannot be taken by that time. Still I have no doubt 
there are thousands at the North who are expecting 
to hear of its capture, and perhaps many who are fool- 
ish enough to believe that it will surely fall on July 
4th. I have no doubt but what it will fall before 
another summer, but it will take time and hard fight- 
ing, and many a poor fellow on both sides will bite 
the dust first; wonder if all think of this? Many 
never think of anything till it happens, they are too 



92 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

selfish ; remained all day in the position we took up 
last night, but just at night we moved a quarter of 
a mile to the front and formed line of battle. 

Saturday, July 2, 1864. 
This morning we started about 7 o'clock for camp 
and arrived about 10 o'clock a. m. ; have had direc- 
tions to fix up quarters as there is a prospect of 
remaining in camp several days ; are obeying orders 
of course, but I suspect we shall move before three 
days ; very warm day — sweltering. 

Sunday, July 3, 1864. 
We have made arrangements so that we are quite 
comfortable in spite of the intense heat ; has been 
very quiet in camp all day. All are anticipating a 
good time to-morrow if General Grant don't conclude 
to have us fight, and I don't think he will, for I don't 
believe he considers it of any use to attack the enemy, 
so long as he can oblige it to come out and fight him. 
Lieutenant G. E. Davis came to-day. Lieutenant H. 
W. Kingsley called to-night. 

Monday, July 4, 1864. 
Again another Fourth of July has come and, not 
as usual for the past three years, all is quiet. Who 
could have anticipated it with such conditions? It's 
very warm and dusty. Lieutenant Hill and I have 
been down to the Division hospital to see Lieutenant 
H. W. Kingsley. It has been the quietest time in 
camp to-day we have had in two months ; have en- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 93 

joyed it greatly. Colonel Henry Powell— a good 
soldier— formerly First Sergeant of Company F, 
Tenth Vermont, but promoted Colonel of U. S. C. T.* 
called to-day. I don't think he has a very exalted 
opinion of colored troops and he may be right; he's 
a man of good sense and judgment. 

Tuesday, July 5, 1864. 
Quite comfortable all day. Lieut. G. E. Davis has 
completed the Muster and Pay rolls, but Pve not felt 
very well and have been abed all day. Captain G. W. 
Burnell, formerly Second Lieutenant, Tenth Vermont, 
has been with us to-day ; he's about the same old chap, 
but I don't think he has a very high opinion of colored 
troops, either. It's reported the enemy is making a 
raid into Maryland with General Jubal A. Early m 
command. I have been expecting this. They will 
doubtless make us much trouble, but they can't check- 
mate Grant in that way; he has too many men. He 
won't budge from here— n^'z^^r-until he takes Peters- 
burg which means Richmond, too. Up to this time 
our First Brigade has lost in killed, wounded, etc., 
over eight hundred men since we broke winter camp. 
Wednesday, July 6, 1864. 
Our Division was ordered to move to City Point at 
dayUght to take transports for Baltimore, Md., and 
thence by rail to Harper's Ferry, Md., or vicinity. I 
said we'd move shortly when ordered to fix camp on 



•United States Colored Troops. 



94 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

the second of July. We arrived at City Point about 
3 o'clock p. m. after a hot dusty march and much 
suffering, and sailed about 4 o'clock p. m. It's quick 
work to load a boat in an hour, but Grant was there. 
The contrast from marching through sand ankle deep 
as dry as an ash heap with the air so thick with dust 
one a few steps away is invisible, and being on the 
cool river is a great transformation we much appre- 
ciate — Hallelujah! 

Thursday, July 7, 1864. 

I was told last night that we should reach Fortress 
Monroe at daylight, and I was up to see it, but we 
passed it about midnight. We are evidently greatly 
needed to head off a raid in Maryland. I saw the sun 
rise on the water this morning. It has been quite 
warm all day although on the water with the boat 
making good time. We arrived at Baltimore at 4 
o'clock p. m. but have not been allowed to leave the 
boat yet. 

Friday, July 8, 1864. 

Two boat-loads of our Division landed last night at 
II o'clock. We took the cars at once for Frederick, 
Md., and arrived there at 10 o'clock a. m. to-day, find- 
ing the city nearly deserted by its inhabitants, and 
only a small force of hundred days' men, etc., to de- 
fend it having skirmished yesterday with the enemy's 
advanced guard and kept it from entering the town. 
The place is full of rumors, but it's impossible to get 
any reliable information. We were followed this af- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 95 

tTi^ by more of our Division, and all have been 
kept busy by General Lew Wallace who is in com- 
mand, marching about the city, forming lines of bat- 
tle to the north of it, etc., presumably to try and de- 
ceive the enemy as to our strength. 

There were in Frederick on our arrival here to- 
gether with such troops as have arrived since, not in- 
cluding our Division, twenty-five hundred green 
troops under Brigadier-General E. B. Tyler, which 
have never been under fire to any extent, as follows: 
Five companies of the First Regiment Maryland 
Home Brigade, Captain Chas. J. Brown commandmg; 
the Third Regiment Maryland Home Brigade, Colonel 
Chas Gilpin commanding; the Eleventh Regiment 
Maryland Infantry, Colonel Wm. T. Landstreet com- 
manding ; three companies of the One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guard, Colone 
Allison L Brown commanding; seven companies of 
the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Na- 
tional Guard, Colonel A. L. Brown commandmg; and 
Captain F W. Alexander's Baltimore (Md.) Battery 
of six three-inch guns; Lieut. Colonel David R. 
Clendenin's squadron of Mounted Infantry from the 
Eighth Illinois National Guard; a detachment of 
mounted infantry-probably two companies-from the 
One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio National Guard, 
Captains E. H. Lieb and H. S. Allen commanding, 
respectively; the Loudoun (Va.) Rangers, and a de- 
tachment of mixed cavalry, Major Charles A. Wells 



96 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

commanding. The Eleventh Maryland and all the 
Ohio troops are hundred days' men. 

The Third Division, Major General James B. 
Ricketts commanding, of the Sixth Corps, consists of 
two brigades and now has here nine of its twelve regi- 
ments or a force of three thousand three hundred and 
fifty men as follows : The First Brigade is com- 
manded by Colonel W. S. Truex of the Fourteenth 
Regiment New Jersey Infantry, and is composed of 
the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment New York 
Volunteer Infantry, Captain E. M. Paine command- 
ing; the Tenth Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infan- 
try, Colonel W. W. Henry commanding; the One 
Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, Colonel William Emerson commanding; 
the Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Stahel com- 
manding, and the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey 
Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel C. K. Hall commanding. 
The Second Brigade, Colonel Matthews R. McClen- 
nan commanding is composed of the Ninth Regiment 
New York Heavy Artillery, Colonel Wm. H. Seward, 
Jr. commanding; the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth 
Regiment Ohio National Guard, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Aaron W, Ebright commanding; the One Hundred 
and Tenth Regiment Ohio National Guard, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Otho H. Binkley commanding; the One 
Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania 
Infantry, Major Lewis A. May commanding; and a 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 97 

detachment of the One Hundred and Twenty-second 
Ohio Infantry commanded by Lieutenant C. J. Gibson. 
The Sixth Regiment Maryland Infantry, Sixty-sec- 
ond Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry and most of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment of Ohio 
National Guard of the Second Brigade have not yet 
arrived. 

With the Georgetown or Washington and Balti- 
more turnpikes both passing through Frederick, it is 
easy to see why this is an important point as viewed 
from a military standpoint. The latter runs in a 
westerly direction from Baltimore, crosses the 
Monocacy river over a stone bridge about three miles 
from, and on through, Frederick centrally, and thence 
on to Harper's Ferry, Frederick being about thirty- 
five miles from Baltimore. The Georgetown turn- 
pike runs northwesterly crossing the Monocacy river 
on a covered wooden bridge at Frederick Junction, 
about three miles from Frederick, on through the city 
which is also about thirty-five miles from Washington, 
and thence northwesterly to Sharpsburg, the two pikes 
crossing each other centrally in Frederick at right 
angles. The Georgetown wooden and railroad steel 
bridges across the Monocacy at Frederick Junction 
are about one-fourth of a mile apart, and the dis- 
tance between the Georgetown pike wooden bridge 
and Baltimore turnpike stone bridge is about three 
miles with Crum's Ford about midway between. There 
are also several fords within two miles or so below the 



98 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Georgetown pike wooden bridge where it crosses the 
Monocacy at Frederick Junction. 

Saturday, July 9, 1864. 
We left Frederick under the cover of darkness last 
night, and after marching a round-about way which 
took nearly all night, brought up at Frederick Junc- 
tion, about three miles away on the Baltimore and 
Ohio railroad, where on a ridge of hills skirting the 
Monocacy river probably on an average eighty feet 
high more or less across and on the east side of 
the river opposite the junction the railroad steel and 
Georgetown turnpike covered wooden bridges, the lat- 
ter of which we burnt early in the day to keep the 
enemy from crossing — we formed line of battle in a 
naturally strong position about 7 o'clock a. m. probably 
about three miles long. The river was virtually cres- 
cent-shaped opposite the Third Division with the con- 
cave side towards- Frederick, but a little way above 
the railroad bridge ran northwesterly for fully six 
miles or more, it being about three miles distant from 
the Baltimore pike stone bridge northeasterly from 
Frederick, and the same distance southeasterly to the 
Georgetown pike wooden bridge. A skirmish line of two 
hundred and seventy-five enlisted men and three offi- 
cers was established as soon as practicable under the 
command of Maj. C. G. Chandler. It was also crescent- 
shaped with the convex side also towards Frederick 
with its flanks resting practically on the river. Captain 
C. J. Brown and two hundred enlisted men were from 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 99 



General E. B. Tyler's command, and Major C. G. 
Chandler, First Lieut. G. E. Davis and seventy-five 
enlisted men were from General J. B. Rickett's Third 
Division of the Sixth Corps, the latter officers, — 
Davis and Chandler, — being from the Tenth Vermont. 
Here we waited for the enemy to approach. We didn't 
have long to wait for soon the whole country across 
the Monocacy was alive with Johnnies who attacked 
us with overwhelming numbers about 8 o'clock a. m. 
and kept it up till about 5 o'clock p. m. 

It was a brilliant little fight on our part, although 
when we formed line we were much depressed for we 
knew we were greatly outnumbered. General E. B. 
Tyler guarded the Baltimore pike stone bridge with a 
goodly portion of his command, and Crum's Ford with 
three companies of Colonel Gilpin's regiment of the 
Potomac Home Brigade. At first three pieces of Cap- 
tain Alexander's Battery were given General Ricketts 
who protected the railroad bridge and Georgetown 
pike, and three pieces were given General Tyler but 
later only one piece. The left of our main line was 
refused or bent back just north of the Thomas house, 
Colonel Clendenin's squadron of cavalry being far to 
our left. Our infantry left ran along the George- 
town turnpike which led to the wooden bridge 
burnt early in the morning to keep the enemy from 
crossing. The pike runs as a whole from the river 
about southeast forming an obtuse angle with it, and 
it was along it which runs through a slight cut here, 



100 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

which formed an excellent natural breastwork, Com- 
pany D of Burlington, Vt., and two other companies 
of the Tenth Vermont were stretched out fully a quar- 
ter of a mile or more under Major E. Dillingham of 
our regiment his right being near the junction of the 
Georgetown pike and the Urbana road. It was little 
more than an attenuated skirmish line but nevertheless 
the main line of battle. The command of Company 
D fell to me as Lieut. G. E. Davis was on the skirmish 
line. It was an anxious time for having little faith 
in our cavalry I feared a cavalry charge from the 
enemy down the pike to my left, as a sharp cavalry 
skirmish had occurred here when this part of the field 
had been first occupied by our forces in the morning 
before my arrival. The skirmishers in my front were 
very busy, too, exchanging shots with the enemy's 
skirmishers till the first assault by the enemy in the 
afternoon about 2 o'clock on the east side of the river 
which was a brilliant one. The enemy in strong force 
had forded the river a goodly distance south of us, left 
its horses out of sight and appeared from the edge of 
the woods on top of a high hill bordering the river 
about three-quarters of a mile away to the south in 
solid lines which moved in double time down the long 
green sloping open field in perfect order all the while 
shouting their ominous defiant battle cry. It was Gen- 
eral McCausland's Brigade of dismounted cavalry in 
two lines; and let me say right here that if this was 
an average sized brigade in Early's army then half the 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 101 

truth as to its numbers has not been told. I could see 
this assaulting column being nearest to it probably, 
better than any other officer on the field, and know 
whereof I write. 

The long swaying lines of grey in perfect cadence 
with glistening guns and brasses, and above all the 
proudly borne but to us hated banner of the Confed- 
eracy with its stars and bars, was a spectacle rarely 
surpassed in the bright sunlight of a perfect summer 
day. I for one looked on the scene with mingled 
feelings of bitterness, dread and awe, for they were 
so far away there was nothing else to do. As soon as 
they first appeared on the hill all firing largely ceased 
in my front on the skirmish lines and everything was 
as hushed later save the indistinct distant battle cry 
of the enemy as on a Sabbath day even the men look- 
ing at the spectacle in silent awe for apparently the 
enemy which greatly outnumbered us, was making di- 
rectly for our part of the line. On, on, they came 
down the long slope, through a wide little valley out of 
sight every moment seeming an age until finally they 
appeared about a half mile away still in excellent or- 
der when they slightly changed direction to their left 
along the hills near the river which greatly re- 
lieved my anxiety inasmuch as we wouldn't have to 
bear the brunt of the attack ; but a suspicion of being 
cut off from the rest of the line and captured, which I 
feared a little later, made the situation still more try- 
ing. On they came, swaying first one way and then 



102 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

another, keeping us in breathless suspense, but de- 
termined to hold our ground as long as possible when 
the shock of battle should come. Finally as they got 
near enough to be shelled our artillery opened on them 
to our right and then the infantry supporting it when 
the enemy's lines wavered and broke and they were 
temporarily repulsed until reinforced.* I was then 
ordered with Company D about a half mile more or 
less to my right nearer the left centre of our line from 
the railroad to support with others four or more guns 
of Alexander's battery, in a sharp artillery duel with 
the enemy across the Monocacy in which First Lieuten- 
ant C. E. Evans, an unassuming, quiet officer, but good 
fighter, took an active part and did excellent work, 
together with Second Lieutenant P. Leary — now Brig- 
adier-General U. S. A., retired — of that battery. It 
was here, too, that I was painfully wounded by an 
exploding shell from the enemy on the tip of the right 
hip bone. It was so bad that Major J. A. Salsbury of 
my regiment advised me to go to Colonel Henry for 



*It was here that General Early mentions in his "Per- 
sonal Memoirs" of this battle, an extract from which will 
be found further along, that he had to send General Gor- 
don's Division to reinforce McCausland under the super- 
intendence of General Breckenridge, etc. This was what 
kept us waiting so long after McCausland's repulse, it took 
so long to get reinforcements across the river. It was the 
desperate fighting here, too, where there were three or 
more separate assaults, that years afterwards drew forth 
an acknowledgment from Gordon that it was one of the 
hardest fights he had ever been in or to that effect, and 
that it caused the waters of the Monocacy to run red with 
the mingled blood of the blue and the gray. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 103 

permission to go to the rear as it was well known that 
soon the Union forces would have to hastily retreat as 
the enemy had crossed the Monocacy river on both 
flanks and were fast surrounding our intrepid little 
force with overwhelming numbers, which, when the 
order came to retreat meant a rapid one and Salsbury, 
an elderly man, did not think me in condition to keep 
from being captured. 

Knowing that every one who possibly could should 
remain on the fighting line in such a vital emergency 
as the possible loss of the National Capital, and es- 
pecially an officer, for the effect such an example 
would have on the men, and being the only officer 
with and in command of my Company, I declined to 
ask for such permission. Major Salsbury rather em- 
phatically in effect replied: "If you don't go and ask 
Colonel Henry for permission to go to the rear, I shall 
go myself!" and he did. Before he returned, the 
whole limb having been numbed by the shock produced 
by the shell, the reaction had caused excruciating pain, 
especially at the sensitive point where the glancing 
butt end of a shell in full flight had mangled the flesh 
and turned it black and blue for several inches 
around.* It was the sensitive end of the hip bone, 
however, which afterwards affected the whole limb 
producing with age numbness especially in the toes 



*As time and history has developed other facts in con- 
nection with this battle and this wound, it is fitting that 
the facts should be introduced here, which will be the 
case from this time on in the case of battles. 



104 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

and heel of the foot and of the whole limb when on 
horseback scouting for Indians after the Civil War, 
which disability was one of the principal causes of 
my retirement from active service in the regular army 
in 1885, that was most affected. Lying on the ground 
with blanched face and clenched teeth to keep from 
crying out with pain, which pride prevented, Major 
Salsbury returned, and to my amusement, even in such 
circumstances, jerkily took the position of a soldier, 
saluted his junior officer, then a Second Lieutenant, 
who was still lying on the ground in great distress, 
in the most respectful and dignified way saying, dis- 
appointedly, sympathetically and snappishly, for 
obvious reasons, with an anxious look : "Colonel Henry 
has denied my request !" or to that effect. 

While these events were transpiring. First Lieuten- 
ant G. E. Davis, of Company D, Tenth Vermont, who 
after Captain Samuel Darrah of that Company — a 
most intrepid fighter, — was killed at Cold Harbor, had 
commanded Company D, but was now in command 
of the skirmish line on the opposite or west side of 
the Monocacy River where he so ably directed, fought 
and finally withdrew it with so much dash, — he and 
some of his men sensationally escaping by running 
along the ties under fire across the open railroad 
bridge forty feet above the water, Private Thomas 
O'Brien of Company D, Tenth Vermont, falling 
through the bridge into the river and escaping, — as 
to attract the attention of General Lew Wallace, and 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 105 



thereby won lasting fame and was also awarded a 
Medal of Honor later on. For some reason Major C. 
G. Chandler had left his command, when it fell to 
Captain C. J. Brown, the next in rank, who, being in- 
experienced, and the skirmishers in a hot place and 
hard pressed, sensibly relinquished his command to 
Lieutenant Davis who had had more experience, and 
thus had enviable fame and valor most dramatically 
forced upon him, although he was grandly equal to 
the emergency. 

Within a very short time after I was wounded the 
valiant little command was in places virtually cutting 
its way through the enemy's lines, which almost com- 
pletely enveloped it, in full retreat. It was during this 
time that one of the color guard. Corporal Alexander 
Scott, a brave and efficient soldier of the same Com- 
pany (D, of Burlington), who was retreating near me 
under a hot fusilade of shot and shell, saved the regi- 
mental colors from capture for which he deservedly 
afterwards, partly on my recommendation, received a 
Medal of Honor. But I did not take to being captured 
as some who were even able-bodied did, and hobbled 
away. Feeling piqued, however, because not allowed 
to go sooner to the rear from the battlefield in my 
maimed condition — although I would not have gone 
anyway, but wanted permission because I thought I 
deserved it, as up to that time I had never asked to 
do so in any battle — still I made no complaint to any- 
one afterwards, but stubbornly, grieved and in con- 



106 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

stant pain, marched with my command all night and 
the following day to the Relay House, near Baltimore, 
bathing the wound occasionally en route with cool 
water from a friendly well or running stream as I 
passed, which was a great relief. But my feelings 
were greatly wounded at the lack of consideration re- 
ceived, as I thought, from Colonel Henry. As my 
pride got the best of my judgment I have suffered in 
consequence ever since. Had I ridden instead of 
marched, it would have at least saved a game leg and 
hip of undue strain and possibly from disappointing 
results afterwards, for had I been in active service at 
the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, as I 
would have been but for this wound, it goes without 
saying that I would then have been given high rank 
with others of my rank at that time and in the end 
retired from active service with the rank any way of 
Major-General. 

Owing to a greatly superior force we were obliged 
to fall back in disorder having eleven officers and five 
hundred and forty enlisted men captured and leaving 
most of our wounded and dead on the field. 

For some unaccountable reason the three regiments 
of the Second Brigade mentioned in this diary yester- 
day as not having arrived were detained at Monrovia, 
Md., a station on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad 
about eight miles east of Monocacy and were not in the 
light. If they had been, I believe we could have stood 
the enemy off even longer than we did, and Early 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 107 

might not think of appearing before Washington — 
though this is doubtful — which he may now do. I 
cannot understand though, why veteran troops should 
have been kept in reserve if such was the case in such 
a contingency — the capital of the nation being in 
jeopardy — instead of hundred days' men or in fact any 
force whatever. It seems to me that in case they were 
not kept in reserve purposely by competent authority, 
someone should be courtmartialed and punished, let it 
fall where it may, and that General Lew Wallace 
should insist upon it in justice to himself and to the 
gallant men who so valiantly fought of the Third Di- 
vision as to hold an enemy so greatly outnumbering us 
at bay for almost an entire day.* 

If General Lee knew the facts in the premises it 
would not redound to General Early's military valor, 
genius or judgment so far as his conduct of this bat- 
tle is concerned, any way. He ought to have driven 
us from the field at once, and would with his usual 
dash. Had he done so, he might capture Washing- 
ton and may now if other troops haven't been sent 
from the Army of the Potomac, but I'm sure they 
have. The enemy is estimated at 20,000 strong. At 
any rate it is many times our size as I could see it 
from a hilltop where I was during a part of the bat- 



*Colonel J. W. Keifer of the Second Brigade says in his 
official report of this battle that the regiments at Mon- 
rovia were unnecessarily detained by Colonel J. F. Staun- 
ton. — See Haynes' History Tenth Regiment Vermont In- 
fantry. 



108 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

tie. We are falling back over the pike to the Relay 
House. 

General Early says in his "Memoirs" in regard to 
this fight: "McCausland, crossing the river with his 
brigade, dismounted his men and advanced rapidly 
against the enemy's left flank, which he threw into 
confusion, but he was then gradually forced back. 
McCausland's movement, which was brilliantly ex- 
ecuted, solved the problem for me, and orders were 
sent to Breckenridge to move up rapidly with Gor- 
don's Division to McCausland's assistance, and, strik- 
ing the enemy's left, drive him from the position com- 
manding the crossings in Ramseur's front, so that the 
latter might cross. The Division crossed under the 
personal superintendence of General Breckenridge, 
and, while Ramseur skirmished with the enemy in 
front," — which didn't deceive us at all — "the attack 
was made by Gordon in gallant style, and with the aid 
of several pieces of King's artillery, which had been 
crossed over, and Nelson's artillery from the opposite 
side, he threw the enemy into great confusion and 
forced him from his position, Ramseur immediately 
crossed on the railroad bridge and pursued the enemy's 
flying forces ; and Rhodes crossed on the left and 
joined in the pursuit. Between six hundred and seven 
hundred unwounded prisoners fell into their hands, 
and the enemy's loss in killed and wounded was very 
heavy. Our loss in killed and wounded was about 
seven hundred. The action closed about sunset." 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 109 

According to General Grant's "Memoirs," Early's 
command at this time consisted of four divisions or 
twenty brigades, composed of the very sinew or hard- 
ened veterans made so from the constant fighting of 
sixty-five depleted regiments of infantry, three 
brigades of cavalry and three battalions of artillery 
since the commencement of the war. It must be taken 
into consideration, too, that the corps, divisions and 
brigades of the Confederate army were just as big 
again when its army was reorganized in 1863, as ours. 
The foregoing does not include the brigades of in- 
fantry composing Breckenridge's division as its com- 
position is unknown to me, but all of which confronted 
us on some part of the field together with the other 
foregoing mentioned organizations. At one time we 
were fighting in our two fronts to our left center, 
facing southerly and westerly, forty-five infantry regi- 
ments and more, McCausland's brigade of dismounted 
cavalry, and several pieces if not all of Nelson's and 
King's artillery either on one side of the river or the 
other ; fourteen of which infantry regiments were with 
Ramseur on our west front across the river and thirty- 
one with Gordon in our south front near the Thomas 
house on the east side of the river behind which a line 
of McCausland's dismounted cavalry was formed by 
Gordon, after it was defeated in its first assault. 

Although General Early admits that it took un- 
til about sunset to fairly dispose of us, it being 
then mid-summer when the days are about the longest 



110 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 



of the year, what he says as a whole, in some respects 
is misleading. He did not at once rout us as soon 
as Gordon's assault commenced at about 3 o'clock 
p. m. as even with the help of McCausland's brigade 
and Nelson's and King's artillery he was repulsed, 
when he says himself he asked twice that another 
brigade be sent him from the west side of the river 
and even then after getting it he was held in check 
some time when, General Rhodes having forced a 
crossing on our right at or near the Baltimore pike, 
and having to weaken our line at the railroad bridge 
to reinforce our line in front of Gordon, we were so 
weak that a retreat was ordered, being fast surrounded, 
but we didn't give up until told to. The Ninth Regi- 
ment of New York Heavy Artillery, one Hundred 
and Sixth, One Hundred and Tenth, One Hundred 
and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Fifty-first 
Regiments of New York Infantry, and the Fourteenth 
New Jersey not being fortunate as was the Tenth 
Vermont in finding natural breastworks in their front 
at first, their casualties were larger than in the other 
regiments or at least than in the Tenth Vermont. Gen- 
eral Tyler's command lost one officer and fourteen en- 
listed men killed, four officers and seventy-nine en- 
listed men wounded, seven officers and one hundred 
and sixteen enUsted men were captured or missing, 
making a total of two hundred and twenty-one casual- 
ties all told in that command. Early levied a contri- 
bution of $200,000 on Frederick, burnt Governor 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. HI 

Bradford's suburban residence, Postmaster-General 
Blair's home at Silver Springs, in the suburbs of 
Washington, D. C, and later Chambersburg and Will- 
iamsport, as well as other small places which did not 
pay tribute in money. 

General Gordon, when speaking of this fight to a 
survivor on the Union side afterwards, stated that it 
was one of the hardest fights he saw during the war 
and he was in many, many of them. A division of 
his command and McCausland's brigade confronted 
six or more regiments of the Third Division, includ- 
ing the Tenth Vermont, and still the enemy here had 
to be reinforced. Let us hope that Time, our kindliest 
and truest friend in all things but One, will yet place 
the brilliant Httle Battle of the Monocacy in history 
before the world as it belongs. 

General Grant in his "Personal Memoirs" makes 
this interesting reference to Monocacy: "The force 
under General Wallace was small in numbers to move 
against Early. The situation in Washington was pre- 
carious. Wallace moved with commendable prompti- 
tude and met the enemy at Monocacy. He could 
hardly have expected to gain a victory, but hoped 
to cripple and delay the enemy until Washington could 
be put in a state of preparation to meet Early. With 
Rickett's Division at Monocacy on time, Wallace suc- 
ceeded in stopping Early for the day on which the 
battle took place. 

"The next morning Early started on his march to 
the capital of the Nation, arriving before it on the 



112 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



nth. Learning of the gravity of the situation, I or- 
dered Meade to send the other two Divisions of the 
Sixth Corps to Washington for the reHef of the city. 
The latter reached there the very day that Early ar- 
rived before it. The Nineteenth Corps, under Gen- 
eral Emory, arrived in Washington from Fort Mon- 
roe about the same time. 

"Early made his reconnoissance with the view of 
attacking the city on the 12th, but the next morning 
he found intrenchments fully manned. He com- 
menced to retreat, with the Sixth Corps following. 
There is no telling how much this result was con- 
tributed to ,by General Lew Wallace's leading at 
Monocacy what might well have been considered al- 
most a forlorn hope. If Early had been but one day 
sooner, he might have entered the capital before the 
arrival of the forces I had sent there. 

"Whether the delay caused by the battle amounted 
to a day or not. General Wallace contributed on this 
occasion a greater benefit to the cause than often falls 
to the lot of a commander of an equal force to render 
by means of a victory." 

One would get the impression from the foregoing, 
that the whole of Rickett's Division was engaged at 
Monocacy. It was not. Two and a half regiments 
or more, I was credibly informed at the time and have 
been since, was in a train of cars eight miles to the 
rear as before stated. The reason for this, it was said, 
was because the engineer refused to go with the train 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 113 

any nearer the front ; but, if so, why not have marched, 
or better still, have compelled the engineer at the point 
of a bayonet and loaded gun to have taken the train 
to the front? Surely the commanding officer of 
that force could not have been a model soldier or 
man of force, and much less an ardent, devoted 
patriot, in this instance. 

According to Dr. E. M. Haynes' History of the 
Tenth Vermont, the Union loss in killed, wounded 
and missing in this fight was 1,294, of which 1,072 
were of Rickett's Third Division of the Sixth Corps. 
There were eleven officers and five hundred and forty- 
nine enlisted men taken prisoners, thirty-five officers 
and five hundred and seventy-five enlisted men 
wounded and ten officers and one hundred and thir- 
teen enlisted men killed. Early mentions the killed 
and wounded of his command in his official report 
as "about" seven hundred, which was about the same 
as ours, showing when the strength of the two com- 
mands is taken into consideration, about three to one, 
how desperately our force contested every inch of 
ground at Monocacy in this fight. The Third Di- 
vision lost fully one-fourth or more of its men en- 
gaged. General Ricketts, one of the best fighting 
generals in the army and much beloved by his men, 
commanded the Third Division, Sixth Corps and was 
second in command to General Wallace of all the 
forces there. 



114 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

The Battle of the Monocacy for obvious reasons, 
was one of the most stubbornly contested fights and 
the most important in its result of any I was in dur- 
ing the war. It is remarkable when it is taken into 
consideration that the Union force of about 5,850 
men — of whom about 2,500 had never fired a gun 
in real battle — and seven pieces of artillery, with no 
trains or reserve ammunition of any kind, not even 
a newspaper reporter, so suddenly by reason of Early's 
invasion had everything come about, could fight 
from 8 o'clock a. m. to 5 o'clock p. m., a force of from 
15,000 to 20,000 of Lee's veterans, and about forty 
pieces of field artillery with plenty of ammunition, 
under such a dashing, strategic commander as Gen- 
eral Early. But through the grace of God, it is 
thought he was over-cautious in this fight; he had 
lost his accustomed dash. It will ever be a disputed 
point, however, exactly how many men Early had, 
as twenty-five years after the battle General Lomax 
who was in it under Early, informed me that many 
of Early's organizations had been so reduced from 
constant fighting in the summer's campaign, that even 
regiments with but few men left were commanded 
by non-commissioned officers who made no morning 
reports and that the exact strength of Early's force 
was unknown. Lomax placed it under 13,000 all 
told, but I think it was more. 

Great credit is due General Wallace for his excel- 
lent judgment in his selection of a battlefield, as but 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 115 

for that to have fought against such odds, whatever 
it was, would have been folly outside the strong for- 
tifications of Washington; but Baltimore had to be 
protected, too, which necessitated the Battle of the 
Monocacy. Wallace should have been commended in 
orders and thanked by Congress for his splendid 
judgment and pluck to confront such an overwhelm- 
ing force as well as for the indirect benefits which 
resulted from his having had the intrepidity to under- 
take, from a purely military viewpoint, as Grant 
says ''almost a forlorn hope" ; but instead of this he 
was ignominiously treated by General Halleck be- 
cause Wallace's command had not accomplished an 
impossibility, it is presumed, by defeating Early. It 
should be vigorously resented in history by every 
honest, fairminded man who is an advocate of fair 
play, and especially by the surviving members of that 
intrepid little army, discredited by General Halleck 
by his treatment of Wallace, the stubbornness of 
which army, according to General Gordon's official 
report of the fight, caused the waters of the Monocacy 
to run red with the mingled blood of the blue and 
the gray on that memorable day when it fought not 
only to save the National Capital, but to prevent the 
disastrous moral and other effects its loss would 
have produced, and the comfort it would have given 
to northern copperheads, allies of the Confederacy, 
and especially to the enemy wherever found. If 
Washington had fallen into the hands of the enemy. 



116 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

even though only temporarily, at this time, it would 
of course have been sacked and its public buildings 
destroyed ; Grant's plan of campaign, even if it hadn't 
put an end to his military career, might have been 
changed, the Confederacy might possibly have been 
recognized by foreign powers — for it is no small mat- 
ter for an enemy to occupy a belligerent's capital — 
and the war might have been somewhat prolonged, 
if nothing more. 

The ovation given that part of Rickett's Division 
of the famous historic fighting Sixth Corps, which 
bore the brimt of the Monocacy infantry fighting, as 
it marched up Pennsylvania Avenue a few days later, 
and especially the bullet, shell, weather-beaten and 
battle-torn flags of the Tenth Vermont, as they ap- 
peared along the line of march, is a proud and pleas- 
ant memory never to be forgotten. It was the event 
of the day, no other regiment within hearing, receiv- 
ing such a continuous and noisy reception. It will go 
with the men of that most excellent regiment through- 
out eternity ; it was a proud day. The regiment had 
been one of the most valiant of some nine or more in 
the Monocacy fight to save the capital ; it was known 
in Washington and it was pleasant to feel the city 
understood and appreciated it. It has never been 
thought, though, by the survivors of the command 
who fought in the Monocacy battle that the general 
public did appreciate, or has since appreciated it, as a 
defeat is generally looked upon as a disaster and with 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 117 

discredit; but indirectly in this case it was a great 
victory, one of the most important of the war for 
obvious reasons aside from having saved the Na- 
tional Capital, as without the delay of a day or more, 
caused by this fight, Early certainly would have found 
no veteran troops to defend the city, for even as it 
was some of them had to double quick through the 
city-a fact not before given in history it is believed 
-into line of battle just north of it at Fort Stevens 
from the transports which had brought them from" in 
front of Petersburg to fight Early whose appearance 
before the city they were just in season to confront 
with hardly a moment to spare. Says Hon. L. E. 
Chittenden, Registrar of the Treasury in his "Recol- 
lections of President Lincoln and his Administration : 
-The importance of a battle is determined by its 
ultimate consequences rather than its immediate re- 
sults If that fought on the Monocacy did delay 
General Early so as to save the capital from his as- 
sault and probable capture, it was one of the decisive 
battles of the world."* Thus we have the n-iatter 
summed up here in barely two sentences for it did de- 
lay Early just enough to save the capital. 

This was forty years ago this 9th day of July, 1904. 
when many of the survivors, including myself, have 
been celebrating the anniversary of the Monocacy 
fight at Frederick, Md., and on the battlefield; and 

'^^nes' History of the Tenth Regiment Vermont In- 
fan try. 



118 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

even now old department clerks who largely formed 
the Home Guard in 1864, and were in the trenches in 
front of Washington when Early approached the city, 
mention with wonder the apparent indifference and 
yet alertness with which the veteran Sixth Corps 
skirmish line double quicked from in front of the 
works to meet and repulse Early's advance. They 
did it in a matter of fact way, it seemed to the clerks, 
as though going to the drill ground in time of peace 
for manoeuvres. Those were days though, when we 
fought with clenched teeth, and learned to smother 
our emotions. We had no time to growl over rations, 
as in the Spanish-American War, in more recent 
times, and did not murmur if at times we got but a 
hard tack a day and nothing else and most of the men 
not even that, as at Mine Run, and many other places. 
We were in the field to preserve the Union and to 
eliminate the National parasite of human slavery, 
and constant fighting had taught every man who from 
conscientious motives could always be found when 
well, on the fighting line and nowhere else, exactly 
what to do under most circumstances ; and hence, they 
were generally cool having thoroughly learned the 
science of war. 

Sunday, July 10, 1864. 

Oh! I'm so tired and used up I can hardly write; 

have been marching all day on the pike, and my feet 

are badly blistered, besides being so lame, sore and 

stiff from my wound I can hardly move without 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 119 



groaning and crying out with pain after being still 
a little while. We arrived at Ellicott's Mills, Md., 
about 4 o'clock p. m. where we remained about two 
hours and took the cars for the Relay House. The 
Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania is with us. The balance 
of the division is yet at the mills. Stragglers still 
continue to pour in. Our regiment was never before 
in such disorder, i. e. so many stragglers. The ten- 
sion was so great though, having held the enemy all 
day with such an attenuated line, that when it did 
collapse, being nearly surrounded, it was every man 
for himself in order to keep from being captured. 
The stragglers report the enemy's cavalry close after 
them all along the retreat in order to pick up prison- 
ers. We arrived at the Relay House at sundown with 
only about ninety men. But the regiment fought 
valiantly yesterday up to the last moment when we 
were obliged to fall back in disorder or be made pris- 
oners of war, and anybody could have played check- 
ers on my coat-tail, I know, if they could have kept 
up, for Libby Prison had terrors for me, and I have 
always looked upon it as being a disgrace to be taken 
prisoner by the enemy ; but in this I am wrong — still 
it would hurt my pride to be captured. We found 
no troops but a regiment of hundred days' men here, 
and they were greatly frightened. We are camped 
a short distance in rear of the hotel on a side hill in 
the woods. 



120 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Monday, July 11, 1864. 

We shall probably remain here several days and 
rest ; am stiff and do not feel like moving on account 
of my bruise which is all black and sore and my hip 
is stiff. It's reported the enemy is close by Baltimore 
The greatest excitement prevails accordingly, among 
citizens, and for fear communication will be cut with 
Washington. We can hear everything except re- 
liable news. I've arrived at that stage where nothing 
excites me, I've been through so much in the last 
seventy days. 

Tue;sday, July 12, 1864. 

Still the Tenth and Sixty-seventh regiments are al- 
lowed to remain undisturbed by the enemy while it is 
having things pretty much its own way in the vicinity 
of Baltimore and Washington. It's reported this 
evening Gilmore's rebel cavalry have burned the Gun- 
powder Bridge, destroyed a railroad train, robbed the 
passengers, etc. The greatest consternation prevails 
throughout the country, as the enemy is reported to 
be only three miles from the National Capital. We 
wait anxiously for the next news. 

Wkdnesday, July 13, 1864. 

Good ! I have been looking for it ! The First and 
Second Divisions of the Sixth Corps arrived in Wash- 
ington last night just in season by double quicking 
through the city from the boats to drive the enemy 
from the fortifications ; can hear heavy guns in that 
direction this morning ; don't know what the difficulty 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 121 



is but if the rest of our Corps is there the Johnnies 
will never take the capital, and we are all right. 
Hurrah! I am on picket to-day at Mr. Donaldson's, 
a wealthy Union man who has a lovely home and fam- 
ily. This is an aristocratic neighborhood, and people 
embarrass me with their courteous attentions. I 
would much rather be left to myself, for I'm tired 
and haven't anything with me but the clothes worn 
through so many battles, besmeared, ragged, riddled 
with bullets and torn by exploding shells ; so I am not 
dressed to appear at table with conventional people; 
but still they insist upon it, and what plagues me more 
make a lion of me. Oh dear! I'd rather make an 
assault on such a place as the "Bloody Angle" at 
Spottsylvania ! The young ladies are awfully pretty, 
so nice and attentive, too, that I feel overwhelmed. 
I'm not sensible enough, though, not to wish myself 
somewhere else, for I'm dirty and unpresentable. It's 
truly a sunny spot in a soldier's life, though, to run 
across such families occasionally when presentable. 
General Tyler has come in to-night; all's quiet. 

Thursday, July 14, 1864. 
Major Dillingham, with a detachment of the Eighty- 
seventh Pennsylvania, went through on the train to- 
night to Washington to open the railroad. There is 
no truth in the report that the road was torn up. 
We took the cars at the Relay House at 11 o'clock 
a. m. and arrived in Washington at 3 o'clock p. m. 
The excitement has mostly subsided in the city. The 



122 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

rest of our Corps is reported at Poolesville, Md. We 
stay in Washington to-night. 

Friday, July 15, 1864. 
Remained in camp until 8 o'clock a. m. and then 
marched up Pennsylvania Avenue by the Treasury, 
White House and War Department, amidst a continu- 
ous ovation for fully three miles. Great respect was 
shown our Division, as it was known that it was its 
stubborn fighting at Monocacy that had saved Wash- 
ington, and the sidewalks, windows, balconies, house- 
tops, etc., were thronged with enthusiastic people. The 
business-like appearance of our regiment, its proud 
bearing, fine cadence and marching, its weather- 
beaten, tattered old battle flags all in strings from shot 
and shell, as well as the men's clothes, its splendid 
band, together with the evergreen sprig proudly worn 
by some of us, which always gains us recognition, 
captured the crowd, and the heartiness of our de- 
served ovation over all other regiments in line was 
very noticeable. It was a proud day for the plucky 
Tenth Vermont, never to be forgotten — even prouder 
than when showered with flowers on our return home 
at Burlington a year later — for we were the feature 
of the parade — real live heroic Green Mountain Boys, 
as true and valiant as was ever Etlian Allen. We 
had a right to be proud, for hadn't we proved to the 
world many times what Meade said to us at Spott- 
sylvania and Sedgwick at the Wilderness, when some 
wag said to Meade at Spottsylvania when in rear 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 123 



of our regiment, as the lines were being hastily formed 
for assault on the enemy a stone's throw away, that 
he was in a dangerous place, and he replied, "I'm 
safe enough behind a Vermont regiment, anywhere?" 
We marched via Georgetown and Tennallytown to 
within a few miles of Offutt's crossroads and bivou- 
acked. It is rumored that we are to join our corps 
at Poolesville. Probably we shall have to chase the 
enemy down the Shenandoah Valley again. As the 
Sixth Corps is the best marching, fighting and most 
reliable one in the army, I reckon Grant and Meade 
knew what they were about when they concluded to 
send it after Early. Now, if they will only send us 
Sheridan, we will lick the whole rebel army if they 
will set it on to us in detail, and finish up the war.* 

Saturday, July 16, 1864. 
Arrived at the crossroads about dark and camped 
for the night. Lieut. Merritt Barber and 1 went on 
a scout 'for some supper, but couldn't find much, as 
tlie rebels have taken everything in the country. The 
men are very tired; arrived at the Potomac about 
dark and waded the river two miles below Edward's 
Ferry at Young's Island; are in camp for the night 
on the Leesburg pike just on the south side of Goose 
Creek. The rest of the Sixth Corps is at Leesburg. 



•As General Sheridan was soon sent us, this prediction 
was as good as proven, but many a poor fellow bit the 
dust first. 



124 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sunday, July 17, 1864. 
Oh, such a horrid night's rest ! Being near the 
mountains it was cold with a heavy dew, and I had 
nothing but a rubber poncho for cover, and am not 
feeling very well in consequence of being so chilled 
after marching all day in the hot sun. We marched 
at 7 o'clock and arrived at Leesburg at 8 o'clock 
a. m., where we rested an hour. We found Col. Ste- 
phen Thomas here with the Eighth Vermont Infantry, 
now of the Nineteenth Corps. The balance of our Corps 
was about two miles ahead, and we overtook it at 6 
o'clock p. m. and are camped in a shady grove for 
the night. General H. G. Wright of our Corps is in 
command of this army now, which numbers about 
25,000 men. It is composed of the Sixth Corps, two 
Divisions of the Nineteenth Corps under General 
Emery, and General George Crook's Eighth Corps of 
about 7,000 men, which has operated largely in West 
Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. 

Monday, July 18, 1864. 
Marched at 4 o'clock a. m., passed through Snick- 
ersville on a narrow stony road, and arrived at Snick- 
er's Gap about noon. We went through the gap, but 
on arriving at the Shenandoah river at Island Ford 
about 6 o'clock p. m. found that some of Crook's 
force had crossed and was skirmishing ; did not fight 
very well ; fell back to the river in a stampede, plunged 
in and some were drowned ; probably green troops. 
Mosby's guerillas have been in our rear all day and 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 125 

robbed some of our stragglers. The artillery shelling 
this evening made us feel uncomfortable, as the shells 
landed right among us, 

Tuesday, July 19, 1864. 
The enemy did not press us further than the river 
last night, nor have they made an advance to-day, 
yet they remain in our front. They are busy caring 
for their wounded. Both sides are within shelling dis- 
tance; have remained in our works all day which we 
built last night. 

Wednesday, July 20, 1864. 
We shelled the enemy about 3 o'clock a. m. It 
left our front during the night. We crossed the river 
about noon to-day, marched about four miles and 
halted in a hard thunder shower. We fell in soon 
and the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps started on our 
back track, supposedly for Petersburg via Washing- 
ton. General Crook's Corps followed Early on up 
the Shenandoah Valley. 

Thursday, July 21, 1864. 
Marched hard all night and daylight found us near- 
ly through the gap; have marched hard — fairly raced 
— all day ; brought up on the east side of Goose Creek 
again, where we are in camp for the night tired and 
worn out. We marched through Leesburg with stars 
and stripes waving and bands playing national airs, 
something unusual for us to do witliout it's a large 
place. Rumor says that our rear guard burned the 



126 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864, 

place, but I don't believe it, although it has the repu- 
tation of being strongly rebel — a regular hotbed. 
Friday, July 22, 1864. 

The Tenth Vermont has been train guard to-day; 
marched reasonably ; are in camp east of Difficult 
Creek for the night. Yesterday a boy soldier was 
shot down in cold blood by a guerilla within sight of 
the ambulance corps; only heard of it to-day. 

Saturday, July 23, 1864. 

I was awakened at 4 o'clock and told the Corps 
would march at 4.30 o'clock jpr. m., but it didn't till 
much later. We are train guard again to-day ; crossed 
the Chain Bridge at 3 o'clock p, m, and camped just 
below Tennallytown on the Georgetown pike. Major 
Harper is paying off some of the troops. Probably 
we shall be paid before we go to Petersburg, but 
rumors are such we may not go. Early has driven 
Crook back to Martinsburg with loss. 

Sunday, July 24, 1864. 
Have been in camp resting all day. Adjutant 
Lyman is fixing up the pay rolls. I can't find my 
valise ; guess it's lost. We had inspection at 10 a. m. ; 
cloudy; looks like rain. 

Monday, July 25, 1864. 

Got supper in town last night. It began to rain 
about 10 o'clock p. m. and continued to hard all 
night. I stayed at the National Hotel ; went to camp 
early this morning; regiment paid last night; went 
to town again and bought clothes ; went to the Can- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 127 

terbury Theatre in the evening; stayed at the National 
Hotel again. There's no sign of a move to-night. 
Tuesday, July 26, 1864. 
I was aroused early this morning by Major Dil- 
lingham, who said the army had moved at daylight. 
I engaged a hack and went up to camp, but found 
everything as we left it. We marched at 9 o'clock 
a. m, for Rockville; passed through the town just 
before dark and camped for the night about two miles 
out on the Rockville road. I have called on the Hen- 
ning, Higgins and Dr. Stonestreet families ; enjoyed 
the visits greatly. These families were very kind to 
me in the winter of 1862-63 when ill with typhoid 
fever ; splendid people. General Crook's back on the 
Maryland side of the Potomac again and Early's 
forces are raiding the country again, too. 

Wednesday, July 2y, 1864. 

Marched about 5 o'clock a. m. ; took a crossroad 
and went to the Rockville and Alexandria pike ; hard 
march ; camped at Hyattstown ; are headed for Fred- 
erick Junction on the Monocacy River, where we had 
our fight July 9, 1864. 

Thursday, July 28, 1864. 

Very dry ; no prospect of rain ; wish we might have 
some ; marched at 6 o'clock a. m. for Frederick Junc- 
tion ; band played as we passed through Urbana ; ar- 
rived at the Junction at i o'clock p. m. ; remained 
about two hours and marched for Jefiferson City ; ar- 
rived there at 11 o'clock p. m. and camped. 



128 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Friday, July 29, 1864. 
Marched at 7 o'clock a. m. for Harper's Ferry ; 
passed through the town about noon and camped on 
the Winchester pike about two miles to the south ; 
warm and sultry ; am not well to-night ; hope to get 
a day's rest here ; all's quiet, except rumors of Early's 
raiders. 

Saturday, July 30, 1864. 
Oh, it's been so warm ! I do wish we could have 
some rain, it would be so refreshing! We remained 
in camp until 3 o'clock p, m., when it was reported 
the enemy was passing through South Mountain, and 
of course we had to "get." Our brigade is train 
guard ; got a large mail to-night. My commission 
came as First Lieutenant of Company E, Tenth Ver- 
mont, but I cannot get mustered, as Captain Smith, 
our mustering officer, is in Washington. 

Sunday, July 31, 1864. 
Remained on Bolivar Heights last night ; regiment 
went on picket about 10 o'clock p. m. ; train mostly 
crossed the river last night, but did not all move till 
near noon to-day; heat intense, but haven't marched 
hard. The train, as anticipated, did not go further 
than Sandy Hook, as the mules were completely 
fagged out, so our brigade was ordered to join the 
Corps which is at Frederick ; camped at Jefferson 
City. We were startled yesterday afternoon when 
half-way up the mountain, by the explosion of a maga- 
zine filled with ammunition. The report was alarming 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 129 



and was followed by a shower of stones, gravel, sticks, 
pieces of shell and dirt which was very demoralizing, 
besides, we didn't know what to make of it at first. 
It gave us quite a scare ; suspected a mine at first. 
Many men have had sunstrokes and died to-day. 

Monday, Aug. i, 1864. 
Marched for Frederick at 5 o'clock a. m. ; dusty 
and hot ; arrived at 9 o'clock a. m. ; camped in a 
shady grove; Chambersburg reported burnt by the 
enemy because it couldn't or wouldn't meet a levy 
by McCausland of $500,cxx) in currency; also that 
Grant has blown up a sixteen-gun battery and taken 
one complete line of works ; have been mustered to- 
day; took command of Company E as First Lieuten- 
ant of that Company. 

Tuesday, Aug. 2, 1864. 

Have remained in camp ; rest much appreciated ; 
have written Dr. Almon Clark. It's reported to-night 
that Grant fell back again to-day to his old position; 
also reported that forty families here in Frederick 
who sympathize with the rebels are to leave for the 
South in the morning ; don't believe it ; can hear all 
sorts of improbable things when so much excitement 
prevails. 

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 1864. 
Received orders to march at 5 o'clock a. m., but 
as we were train guard we did not move till 7 o'clock 
a. m. ; camped at i o'clock p. m. near Buckeystown 



130 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

at Monocacy Mill on the Monocacy river ; bathed in 
the river ; all's quiet to-night. 

Thursday, Aug- 4, 1864. 
Remained in camp all day ; services were held to- 
day over the remains of the First Division Inspector; 
various rumors about moving. 

Friday, Aug. 5, 1864. 
Received marching orders at 4 o'clock a. m. to be 
ready to move at 5 o'clock, and thus it has been all 
day, but night finds us still in the same camp. It's 
rumored our pickets were driven in last night at Har- 
per's Ferry. I have pitched my tent and made ar- 
rangements to stay all night, which is the only indi- 
cation of a move ; generally move when I do this. 

Saturday, Aug. 6, 1864. 
As I expected, I hadn't more than nicely gotten 
asleep when the bugle sounded the assembly, and in 
less than thirty minutes we were on the march for 
Frederick Junction ; arrived there about midnight ; 
got orders to make ourselves comfortable for two 
hours, and then take the cars for Harper's Ferry, 
but did not start until about noon ; saw Grant at the 
Junction ; looks like fighting ahead ; is probably ar- 
ranging the campaign in his car with others. 

Sunday, Aug. 7, 1864. 

This morning found us in line about two miles 

outside of Harper's Ferry, but no signs of an enemy 

in our immediate front ; has been quite warm all day ; 

have written Pert and Will Clark ; most of the regi- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 131 

ments have had dress parade, but Colonel Henry can't 
see it quite yet that way. It is rumored that General 
Sheridan is to command this army — good ! 

Monday, Aug. 8, 1864. 
All quiet in camp to-day. Lieut. D. G. Hill and 
Sergt. J. M. Read's commissions came this afternoon. 
Lieut. Hill has been mustered ; haven't done much but 
read Harper's Weekly and visit ; baggage came up 
this evening ; warm and sultry ; rumors of a move to- 
night ; men have been enjoying themselves to-day. 
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 1864. 
Am making out muster and pay rolls ; got a letter 
from J. R. Seaver and another from Aunt Nancy 
Merrill of Chelsea, Vt. Lieut. J. M. Read reported 
to his Company for duty this afternoon. Captain 
L. D. Thompson and Lieut. G. E. Davis have gone on 
picket this evening; good news from Sherman and 
the Gulf Department to-night ; rumors of a move this 
evening. 

We^dnesday, Aug. 10, 1864. 

Marched this morning at 5 o'clock about fifteen 
miles to Charlestown, West Virginia, and camped 
about three miles from Berryville at Clifton ; very 
warm ; many fell out from sunstroke and heat ; rained 
this evening; no signs of the enemy. 

Thursday, Aug. 11, 1864. 
Marched at 6 o'clock a. m. Our regiment has been 
train guard ; cavalry has had warm work in the lo- 
cality of Winchester, Va., as considerable cannonad- 



132 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



ing has been heard in that vicinity. We are camped 
on the same ground the rebs were on last night ; 
should judge we were making for Manassas Gap by 
the course we are taking; made an easy march to-day. 

Friday, Aug. 12, 1864. 

Another day still finds us marching in dust and 
under a scorching sun. The heat has indeed been 
intense. Many a poor soldier has fallen out on the 
way from exhaustion and sunstroke. We have passed 
through Newtown and Middletown, both of which 
were nearly deserted, and those left are bitter seces- 
sionists. We have been chasing the enemy, which 
accounts for our marching so hard ; its rear guard 
left Newtown as we entered it. We camped for dinner 
here and to wait for stragglers tO' catch up. 

An amusing thing occurred here. Three young offi- 
cers, Lieutenants D. G. Hill, G. P. Welch and myself, 
went to the only hotel to get dinner, but found the 
front door locked and the blinds all drawn. The back 
yard and garden containing vegetables, fruit trees, 
flowers, etc., in luxuriance, was inclosed by a high 
brick wall about eight feet high with an entrance on 
a side street. A matronly-looking attendant unlocked 
the door at our request, and admitted us to the gar- 
den and back door of the hotel, which stood open to 
the kitchen, which we entered, the attendant remain- 
ing within hearing. Here we found the landlady, who 
declared in an assumed, distressed manner that she 
had nothing in the house to eat, the enemy having 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 133 

taken everything she had, at the same time relating a 
tale of woe which I presumed might be partially true, 
if not wholly so. Soon, however, after parleying, she 
produced a plate of fine hot tea biscuit, nervously 
forcing them into our very faces, saying, "Have bis- 
cuit ! have biscuit !" which, rest assured, we did. 

After this I started to leave. The colored woman 
who had admitted us, having heard all that was said, 
hid by the corner of the house en route to the garden 
entrance, and when I passed shyly told me that a 
table in the parlor wdiere the curtains were down, was 
loaded down with a steaming hot dinner with the 
best the house afforded, prepared for a party of rebel 
officers who had fled about when it was ready be- 
cause of the approach of our army. I returned to the 
kitchen bound to have that dinner just because it had 
been prepared for rebel officers and told the landlady 
what I had discovered, and that we must have that 
dinner, but were willing to pay her for it. Seeing 
she was outmanoeuvered and that her duplicity was 
discovered, she looked scared and laughing nervous- 
ly led the way to the parlor, where we found the table 
actually groaning with steaming viands as though 
prepared for and awaiting us. She graciously bade 
us be seated, presided at the table with dignity and 
grace as though nothing had happened, and we met 
her with equal suavity, laughter and dignity as though 
she was the greatest lady living, she admitting when 



134 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

through, that she had had a "real good time." We 
paid for the dinner and parted good friends.* 

Saturday, Aug. 13, 1864. 

Well, were it natural for me to be despondent, I 
should say that things looked rather gloomy for our 
cause. I do not doubt but what General Grant is 
doing all in his power to prosecute the war. Appar- 
ently, however, there is little doubt but what there are 
those under him who fail to perform their whole duty. 
If there were only more fighting generals and fewer 
get-along-easy fellows, what a splendid thing it would 
be for the country. But Grant will weed 'em out in 
time — see if he don't! We arrived at Cedar Creek 
and went about a mile when we again found Early 
in our front ; have remained here all day. 



*The landlady had a young son — a lad — who a few years 
later, after the war, graduated from West Point and was 
assigned to the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, my regiment. One 
evening years afterwards in quarters at Camp Apache, 
A. T., among other stories I related this to a lot of offi- 
cers, when Lieutenant , who was present, to my 

surprise informed me it was of his mother we got our 
dinner ,and that he had heard her laughingly relate the 
incident. He was a good officer and fellow, but knowing 
what rabid secessionists some members of the family were, 
including himself, the charm of his friendship was gone, 
but I never let him know it. He is now many years dead. 
The landlady was very stubborn, and unwilling to oblige 
us until cornered, when her detected duplicity discon- 
certed her, and with a nervous laugh she yielded to our 
demand because she thought she had to. Otherwise we 
should have only helped ourselves in a courteous way and 
paid her for what we got. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 135 



Sunday, Aug 14, 1864. 
Have remained idle all day ; enemy occupy the other 
side of Strasburg. Our pickets are just this side of 
town ; very warm and sultry ; are in the shade. Cap- 
tain Merritt Barber and Lieut. J. M. Read have gone 
on picket ; no skirmishing to-day ; rations and mail 

expected to-night. 

Monday, Aug. 15, 1864. 
Have remained quietly in camp to-day ; skirmish- 
ing and artillery firing along the line this afternoon ; 
warm, but cooler than yesterday ; army moved back 
across Cedar Creek about 9 o'clock a. m. to our old 
position ; wagons have come, but have got to make 
three days' rations last four, as Mosby captured some 
of our train ; all's quiet to-night. 

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1864. 
Such trifling! I'm tired of it! Must be we are 
waiting for something — aren't ready. I am glad to lay 
quiet, but such suspense keeps us from resting. We 
can't depend on quiet. It's rumored we are to fall 
back this evening. Quite a game of chess seems to 
be going on between the armies.* It has been very 



*The reason of General Sheridan's caution was that Gen- 
eral Grant had warned him from Petersburg while at Cedar 
Creek, that General Lee had sent a reinforcement to Gen- 
eral Early of General Anderson's Corps of two divisions 
of infantry under General Fitzhugh Lee, and to be cau- 
tious. General Sheridan's army then consisted of the 
Sixth Corps, two divisions of the Nineteenth Corps, Gen- 
eral Crook's Eighth Corps, two divisions of cavalry and 
the usual amount of artillery. The other division of the 
Nineteenth Corps and one division of cavalry were en 
route to join him, which, when they arrived, would give 



136 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



dull since we left Harper's Ferry. We have done 
nothing but march without mail and time drags ; are 
nearly out of rations. 

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1864. 
We were ordered to commence our retrogade move- 
ment at 8.30 o'clock, but didn't till about 10 o'clock 
a, m. As usual our division goes as train guard. 
We passed through Middletown about midnight ; 
didn't stop to do much foraging; arrived at Newtown 
about 2 o'clock a. m., and passing through, the men 
nearly stripping the place of everything ; got breakfast 
at Winchester and stopped near Clifton farm. For- 
aging is allowed, owing to the levies made for money 
on places by the enemy, which if not paid have been 
burnt, in Maryland and Pennsylvania, such as Wil- 
liamsport, Chambersburg, etc. It is desired, too, to 
strip the Shenandoah Valley of all supplies in order 
to keep the enemy out of it. 

him a force of about 30,000 men, and Early would have 
about the same number. Thus both sides were similarly- 
situated — waiting for reinforcements — and neither after 
Sheridan received word from Grant of Early's expected 
reinforcements, were ready to fight; hence the seemingly 
at the same time unnecessary game of chess between the 
two armies which so wore on us and which caused the 
petulant outbreak in my diary. Had Sheridan known of 
Early's reinforcements before going to Strasburg, of course 
he would not have gone. Early, of course, was retreating 
towards his reinforcements purposely so that when he met 
them he could then give battle. It was a narrow escape 
for Sheridan. He sent Wilson's division of cavalry to 
Front Royal to investigate, where he found Kershaw's 
division of infantry and Pitzhugn Lee with two brigades 
of cavalry at the ford, and then left to report to Sheridan. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 137 



Thursday, Aug. 18, 1864. 
The enemy followed us and overtook our rear 
guard at Winchester where Generals Torbert and Wil- 
son and the New Jersey brigade of the Sixth Corps 
had a sharp little fight last night losing it's said, one 
hundred and eighty in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
We were aroused to form line of battle this morning 
at 4 o'clock. We got breakfast and marched about 
6 o'clock a, m. It rained constantly all forenoon and 
was lowering this afternoon ; dined at Clifton farm ; 
marched to Charlestown and bivouacked at 9 o'clock 
p. m. We have got to make three days' rations last 
five. 

Friday, Aug. 19, 1864. 

Arose at a late hour this morning, but not in the 
best of spirits ; have been in camp all day ; haven't 
made preparations to stay long ; don't now-a-days ; 
can't tell what we are to do ; rained early, but broke 
away by noon ; have been quite indisposed since 3 
o'clock p. m. ; fear I'm going to be ill ; got a letter from 
Pert this evening ; first mail received in a week ; all's 
quiet on the line to-night. 

Saturday, Aug. 20, 1864. 
Arose early this morning and am feeling better; 
over-tired yesterday from hard marching and fatigue, 
I reckon, was all; took an early breakfast and soon 
learned my baggage was close at hand ; put up my tent 
and got ready for work to-morrow provided we stay 



138 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

here; put in a requisition for clothing. Lieut. C. 
H. Reynolds, R. Q. M. has come from City Point ; 
have written to Dr. J. H. Jones this evening ; all's 
quiet. 

Sunday, Aug. 21, 1864. 

Well, a soldier's life is a strange one to lead ! I 
got up about 8 o'clock a. m. received an order for 
inspection at 9 o'clock a. m. got nearly ready when 
it commenced raining and inspection was delayed. 
Then before we had inspection about 10 o'clock a. 
m. a lively fusilade commenced on the pike in our 
front with the skirmishers ; looks to me like a sur- 
prise ; everybody acts so, too ; have been hustling all 
day to throw up rifle pits and to-night finds us in 
line behind a formidable breastwork; skirmishing 
still continues briskly. The Vermont brigade re- 
established the skirmish line. Our brigade has lost 
two men killed and eleven wounded. 

Monday, Aug. 22, 1864. 
Am not feeling well ; marched nearly all night ; 
arrived at Halltown heights at daylight; went into 
our old position ; am now on picket on the right of 
our line; enemy followed us up and skirmished with 
our rear guard "right smart" all day. About 11 
o'clock a. m. the First Division was sent out on the 
pike ; rumored it's driven the enemy back ; hard thun- 
derstorm from 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock p. m. ; quite cool 
this evening. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 139 

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1864. 

It was chilly and foggy this morning, but it cleared 
about 9 o'clock a. m. Skirmishing still continues orr 
the pike and on the left of the line. It's rumored 
the Nineteenth Corps charged the enemy this morning 
driving it back in confusion. The Tenth Vermont 
moved to the right this forenoon giving room for 
a battery on our left. Our forces have thrown up 
breastworks, but I don't anticipate any attack. 

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1864. 

This is my twenty-second birthday ; enemy still in 
front ; skirmishing still on the left ; don't think it 
amounts to much ; heavy cannonading in front of the 
Nineteenth Corps from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock p. m. 
Dr. Almon Clark and Lieutenant E. P. Farr returned 
to the regiment to-day. I have been busy on clothing 
rolls and Company books and wrote to James Burn- 
ham this evening ; not feeling well to-day ; very warm ; 
all's quiet. 

Thursday, Aug. 25, 1864. 

Well, another birthday has passed and with it 
another year has gone, and one of great military 
experience, and I trust it has been profitably spent ; 
very warm till about 3 o'clock p. m. when it showered ; 
had monthly inspection at 4 o'clock p. m. General 
Wilson's division of cavalry started this morning 
on a reconnoissance towards Martinsburg; heard heavy 
cannonading about 3 o'clock p. m. ; can't learn any 
particulars. 



140 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Friday, Aug. 26, 1864. 
As usual we were ordered to be under arms at 
4 o'clock a. m. but the enemy has not yet appeared 
on our right, nor do I think they will ; have had charge 
of a fatigue party nearly all day policing in front of 
the rifle pits. Captain L. T. Hunt of Company H 
returned to the regiment this afternoon looking well ; 
has been absent wounded. Captains C. D. Bogue 
and A. W. Chilton's commissions came by to-day's 
mail ; no skirmishing all day. 

Saturday, Aug. 27, 1864. 
Were under arms again early this morning. Col- 
onel Foster visited the Tenth this forenoon ; is truly 
a fine-looking man. I have been very busy making 
out final statements. The heavy musketry heard 
yesterday on our left about 3 o'clock p. m. was 
occasioned by the enemy's making a charge on the 
Nineteenth Corps. The Johnnies were repulsed with 
considerable loss. Rumor says we captured one en- 
tire regiment and two stand of colors, etc. It's 
child's play, though, compared to the fighting from 
the Rapidan to the James. I don't believe there will 
be any more such fighting; it's more than human 
beings can stand without one side or the other col- 
lapsing. As I look back upon it, I marvel. 

Sunday, Aug. 28, 1864. 
Received marching orders for to-morrow morning 
at 10 o'clock last evening. We were up at 3 o'clock 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 141 



a. ni. and ready to march at daylight, but did not 
until near 8 o'clock. The Nineteenth Corps marched 
on our left in three different columns and the Sixth 
Corps moved on the right in the same order. We 
took dinner about two miles from Charlestown, and 
marched again about i o'clock p. m. ; went through 
Charlestown about 3 o'clock p. m., with the bands 
playing "Old John Brown" to the accompanying 
chorus of the entire column. It was grand! We 
camped on our old ground just outside the city; no 
signs of any enemy yet.* 

Monday, Aug. 29, 1864. 
A cool comfortable day ; laid out Company streets 
this forenoon and everything looks as though we were 
to remain in camp several days. Torbet's cavalry has 
been engaged all day, but was driven back about 
4 o'clock when our Division was sent out to support 
it. The enemy fell back as soon as they discovered 
our infantry. We followed the rebs about five miles, 
returned about half way to camp, and Sivouacked. 
There's good news from Grant's army to-night. We 
await anxiously for the returns from the Chicago 
convention. 



*It is a fact that General Crook's Corps, when forming 
line near Berryville, was "blundered" into by General Ker- 
shaw's Division of infantry and artillery en route to Peters- 
burg via Ashby's Gap. After a little brush m which 
Kershaw got the worst of it. he fell back. This was a gr^t 
disappointment to General Sheridan, as Kershaw was de- 
tained fifteen days longer. 



142 CIFIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 

Tup:sday, Aug-. 30, 1864. 
We were under arms at 3 o'clock a. m., but no signs 
of an enemy. It's a beautiful cool morning. Some 
think Early has gone to reinforce Lee ; guess not ; 
at any rate, an enemy is in front. The Third Divi- 
sion hasn't moved back to its original position as 
anticipated last night. Time hangs heavily and were 
it not for the bands I should be almost homesick; 
got a mail but no news from home. 

Wedne;sday, Aug. 31, 1864. 

Pleasant and warm ; got our muster and pay rolls 
this morning ; completed two ; not much skirmishing 
to-day ; paper states that probably General McClellan 
will be the Democratic nominee for president ; got 
a mail but no letter for me. 

Thursday, Sept. i, 1864. 

This is the anniversary of our muster into the 
U, S. service at Brattleboro, Vt., 1862. Thus far, 
as a regiment, we have been prospered. God grant 
that we may continue to be, and that as many as is 
consistent with His will, may be allowed to pass one 
more year if necessary in the service, and then be 
returned home happy, feeling that we have endeavored 
to do our duty as soldiers faithfully to our country 
and our God; have completed two more rolls; shall 
try and finish the other in the morning; all's quiet in 
front. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 143 

Friday, Sept. 2, 1864. 
Cloudy and cool ; think it will rain in a day or so ; 
have completed my roll. Lieutenant George P. 
Welch returned from Vermont this afternoon ; has 
been absent sick since we left City Point. We moved 
back to our old camp at 5 o'clock p. m. ; arrived 
about dark ; shall probably stay here several days ; 
are laying out camp. 

Saturday, Sept. 3, 1864. 
Got an order at 10 o'clock last night to be in read- 
iness to move at 4 o'clock a. m. ; didn't start until 
about 6.30 o'clock a. m. ; marched up the valley towards 
Clifton Farm ; did not rest until about three miles 
of it, and probably shouldn't then had we not run 
onto the enemy and had a brush ; don't know the 
result ; heard to-day Atlanta had fallen. It's glorious 
news ! I was detailed for picket to-night. It looks 
like rain. 

Sunday, Sept. 4, 1864. 
Got our line established about 10 o'clock last night ; 
rained hard ; got very wet ; day has passed quietly ; 
moved our skirmish line about fifty yards to the front 
this forenoon. The enemy appeared on the left of 
our division about dark and commenced skirmishing, 
but all's quiet at 9 o'clock p. m. Dr. Clark has been 
down to see us this afternoon. He's always welcome. 
It's cloudy and cool ; will probably rain before morn- 
ing. 



144 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Monday, Sept. 5, 1864. 
Was aroused this morning at 4 o'clock by the Ver- 
mont brigade. It moved round on to our right in the 
night and built works to protect our right flank ; 
rained hard last night ; got very wet ; was relieved 
from picket by the Fourteenth New Jersey ; no skir- 
mishing to-day. The enemy has evidently fallen back 
to Winchester. It's quite cloudy. 

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1864. 
O, such a terrible day! Rain, wind, sleet and 
everything to make it gloomy. The Vermont troops 
have voted to-day as directed by the Governor. My 
Company (E) cast seven votes for the Republican 
candidate. The other men didn't know who the 
Democratic candidate was and so didn't vote. Noth- 
ing has disgusted me so since I left Vermont. I'm 
sadly disappointed politically, in my Company, but the 
men are good fighters and I like them. They seem 
devoted to me. It is disappointing, though, to have 
to send such a report to Vermont! It's mortifying! 
But I mustn't let the men know how I feel for it 
can't be helped now. It makes me feel queer, though, 
for my Republicanism is as staunch as the granite 
hill (the Barre granite quarries) on which I was 
born. I am dazed at the result of the vote in Com- 
pany E ! I guess I'm in the wrong pew politically ; 
very few democrats in Barre. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 145 

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1864. 
Was happily surprised to find it pleasant this morn- 
ing; has turned out the finest day of the fall. Lieu- 
tenant H. W. Kingsley came up with the day's 
rations; ate supper with us. The moonlight, band 
music and charm of the night has killed the monotony. 

Thursday, Sept. 8, 1864. 
Such freaky weather ; cool and rainy nearly all 
day. Chaplain Roberts of the Sixth Vermont, has 
called this afternoon. He's a fine man. I have been 
reading East Lynne. It's very dull in camp. I've 
written to Aunt Thompson this evening. The papers 
state the North is jubilant over our recent victories, 
and well they may be. 

Friday, Sept. 9, 1864. 
A fair day. Lieutenant H. W. Kingsley ate supper 
with us. He brought up three days' rations. Pert 
writes she is having a fine time in East Boylston, 
Mass. teaching. She sent me a letter from Cousin 
Byron Bradley. Cousin Abby Pierce is coming East 
this fall. I have finished reading East Lynne ; it's 
a fine story. 

Saturday, Sept. 10, 1864. 
It's a cool day. Company and battalion drill was 
ordered this afternoon but we didn't drill as the 
Major is on picket. Lieutenant G. E. Davis came 
out of the Division hospital this afternoon. He's 
had a boil. I have made my election returns. It's 



146 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

very pleasant this evening- in camp, but dull. I have 
written Pert. 

Sunday, Sept. 11, 1864. 

A very quiet dull day ; am looking for news from 
the Army of the Potomac ; nothing has occurred since 
we left; those armies watch each other, while we do 
what little fighting there is done. So much constant 
chasing of the enemy night and day, frequent brushes, 
laying on our arms from 3 o'clock till daylight, etc., 
is very wearing and I shall be glad when Early is 
licked, as he surely will be for Sheridan fights like 
a tornado — he does things. He's getting a good 
ready, and we'll be heard from soon. Ta, ta. Early ! 
Run back to Petersburg ! The peace party seems 
to be dissatisfied with McClellan. In my opinion 
his stock's below par, at the same time if his party 
nominate a new man it will be the best thing that 
can happen for us; wonder if most of Company E 
don't sympathize with the peace party? Hope my 
men are not fickle politically — like Jacob's coat of 
many colors. It takes a strong man in these times, 
though, to stand up to the rack when there isn't 
much in it but ammunition, and it's grimly give and 
take with no white feather mix, and neither army will 
give up. Wonder if we won't be abused for all 
this bye and bye by other than copperheads ? 

Monday, Sept. 12, 1864. 

We are having a nice long time in camp, but will 
probably make up for it when Grant and Sheridan 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 147 

get this little army fixed to suit them. I have been 
in fights thus far with Companies B, D, and K, having 
commanded the two latter in a number of hot places, 
and now I am First Lieutenant Commanding Com- 
pany E. I don't stay with a Company long enough 
to learn all the men's names, but they impress me 
with the idea that they are not dissatisfied with me 
even if I only know them by sight. Company 
B is from Barre, Montpelier and Waterbury. D 
from Burlington, E from Bennington, and K from 
Derby Line, and the men are splendid fighters, at 
any rate with me. I don't try to drive them into a 
fight but am lucky to keep up with the intrepid 
leaders and most of the rest follow. Except the 
bravest of them, the others are not apt to go where 
their Commander won't, and I get better work out 
of them by keeping ahead of them if I only can. 
Some of them are so dauntlessly courageous they 
inspire me. 

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1864. 
Well, the papers begin to speak encouragingly, 
and reinforcements are rapidly being sent Grant and 
Thomas. We have got but few yet, but rumor says 
that six hundred left Vermont on the seventh of Sep- 
tember for our regiment. It's cloudy and there's 
a chilly south wind. It threatens rain. McClellan's 
party is demanding a new candidate. Well, let it have 
one, it will be all the better for Mr. Lincoln. All's 
quiet to-night. 



148 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Wednksday, Sept. 14, 1864. 
Rather a gloomy day. It rained hard from 9 
o'clock a. m. until about noon. Lieutenants Davis, 
Welch and Wheeler have gone on picket with a hun- 
dred men from our regiment. There was Company 
drill this afternoon. It rained so this forenoon that 
battalion drill was suspended ; rained hard this even- 
ing, too. Election returns from Maine this evening 
show that State to be strongly Republican. 

Thursday, Sept. 15, 1864. 

It was fair until 5 o'clock p. m. when it sprinkled 
slightly and prevented dress parade. We had bat- 
talion drill this forenoon and Company drill this after- 
noon. The Commissary came up this forenoon, too, 
with rations. We have received a large mail. All 
well at home. The Second Division of the Sixth 
Corps and a brigade of cavalry made a reconnois- 
sance to-day toward Opequan Creek where the Ver- 
mont Brigade skirmishers located the enemy just 
beyond Opequan Creek with its line facing east, its 
right flank resting on the Berryville pike and its left 
on the Martinsburg pike with Winchester in its rear. 
Our armies are about six miles apart. 

Friday, Sept. 16, 1864. 

It's a delightful evening; has been pleasant all day. 
There was battalion and company drill this forenoon 
and afternoon respectively. Extracts from the Rich- 
mond Examiner and other Southern journals state 
that Lee's army about Richmond is in terrible con- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 149 

dition, is living on half rations, clothes worn out and 
no prospect of getting more. It has got so they have 
to use negroes to transport supplies, etc. I wouldn't 
blame that army for changing its politics or anything 
else to get out of the scrape it's in. 

Saturday, Sept. 17, 1864. 
Warm and pleasant : gentle south breeze ; looks like 
a southern storm. General Grant came to-day, but 
has gone. It looks like a move. Fifty men from our 
regiment went on picket this afternoon. We have 
been moving camp, another indication of a move. 
Let it come. Orry Blanchard and Nate Harrington 
have been over this evening. 

Sunday, Sept. 18, 1864. 
It's cloudy with a gentle south breeze. We had 
company inspection at 9 o'clock this forenoon and 
monthly at 4 o'clock this afternoon. The supply train 
came at 8 o'clock a. m. with four days' rations. We 
got orders at 3 o'clock p. m. to strike tents which we 
did, and march at once, but the order was counter- 
manded. We shall probably move early in the morn- 
ing. There's a high south wind this evening, but it 
doesn't look like rain. Sheridan's army now consists 
of three infantry corps, three divisions of cavalry and 
the usual complement of artillery, in all about 30,000 
men, as follows ; The Sixth Corps, Major General H. 
G. Wright, U. S. V. commanding; the Eighth Corps, 
Major-General George Crook, U. S. V. commanding; 
the Nineteenth Corps, Brevet Major-General W. H. 



150 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Emery commanding; Brevet Major-General A. T. A. 
Torbert, U. S. V., Chief of Cavalry; the First Divi- 
sion of Cavalry, Brigadier-General Wesley Merritt, 
U. S. V. commanding ; the Second Division of Cav- 
alry, Brigadier-General W. W, Averell, U. S. A. 
commanding; and of the Third Division of Cavalry, 
Brigadier-General James H. Wilson, U. S. V. com- 
manding. Lieutenant-General Jubal A. Early com- 
mands the Confederate army with about the same 
force. 

Monday, Sept. 19, 1864. 
We received orders at 10 o'clock last night to march 
at 2 o'clock this morning which we did. Daylight 
brought us up near Opequan Creek on the Winches- 
ter-Berryville pike. Wilson's Cavalry had charged 
and carried the enemy's picket line and earthworks 
protecting the pike near both the East and West en- 
trance of the gorge through which this road runs, 
taken a goodly number of prisoners, and it looked like 
business again. A large number of troops moved in 
two or more columns across the Opequan for about 
a mile and then up the narrow winding pike in one 
column through a little valley or gorge, known as the 
Berryville canyon to us, but as Ash Hollow locally, 
with second growth or scrub oak and ash trees and 
underbrush coming close down its scraggy abrupt 
banks two hundred feet high more or less in places 
after crossing Abraham Creek, to the road and rivulet 
winding along the gorge for nearly three miles — 




> o " 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 151 

the source of which stream is wrongly given on all 
maps pertaining to this battle — on past General Sher- 
idan near the west end of the canyon towards Win- 
chester sitting on his horse a little off the road to the 
right in the open field on slightly ascending ground 
watching the column our brigade was in which, owing 
to its plucky fight under great disadvantages at the 
Battle of the Monocacy which largely saved the city 
of Washington barely nine weeks before, he had se- 
lected for the most important point in his line of battle 
at the head of the gorge on the pike to Winchester 
with our valiant regiment and the Fourteenth New 
Jersey planted across it even the colors of each which 
were in the centre of the regiments, being in the center 
of the pike and the rest of the army ordered 
to guide on us. Surely this zvas the place of honor 
in the battle that day for the Sixth Corps followed the 
pike in all the assaults of the day which was quite 
crooked including the first one until the enemy was 
driven completely routed through the city of Win- 
chester when night put an end to the fighting. 

Sheridan restlessly urged the men across a small 
ravine opposite where he sat, his eyes wandering occa- 
sionally everywhere over the large open space which 
gradually rose to the vast comparatively level but 
slightly rolling battlefield in our front, as the men 
looked curiously at him so near I could touch him as 
we marched, little dreaming that three years after I 
should be honored for my work that day, which he 



152 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

saw, by being a member of his staff, or that he would 
be instrumental in saving my life when ill with malig- 
nant yellow fever and threatened with fatal black 
vomit in New Orleans, La. in 1867, by sending his 
cook, a faithful old colored woman, who was an ex- 
pert nurse of yellow fever patients, to care for me. 
It was the nearest we had ever been to him, and as our 
regiment passed slowly by fours, the line being con- 
gested ahead, the men took a good look at him for 
he was already famous and every soldier's ideal hero ; 
and as they did so they unconsciously slackened their 
sauntering pace a little which was what caused Sher- 
idan to urge them on. 

We were on the eve of the most brilliant spectacular 
battle of the war, at any rate that I had seen, and my 
ideal genius developed by the great Civil War — Sheri- 
dan was to lead us ; and the valor of the renowned 
Sixth Corps, his pet of all the splendid corps of as 
grand and valiant an army as ever existed — the Army 
of the Potomac — was about being placed by him at the 
most important point in line of battle ready to do and 
die for him, the Vermont troops or "Green Mountain 
Boys," as we were called through every city we passed, 
and especially our regiment being one of two to 
occupy the keystone position or place of honor on the 
famous historic Berryville and Winchester pike in the 
great assaulting line on a battlefield slightly rolling 
but level in places as a house floor when once fairly 
on it, to take another stitch out of rebellion, and to 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 153 

help immortalize our hero, and we did both. Aye ! 
we shall glorify Sheridan continually as a military 
genius, even as he has honored us as his ideal soldiers 
and fighters heretofore, now and probably will ever- 
more, the grand old Sixth Army Corps which fights 
everything everywhere, and rarely gives up fighting 
till called off, but, alas ! which will soon only be a 
hallowed, glorified memory ; and — still — I like to think 
of it in reflective moments as in a celebrated painting 
of a bivouacked army at night asleep watched over 
by an army of hovering angels in midair; that it as 
a hallowed spiritual body finally at peace in a heavenly 
paradise, will go marching on throughout the bound- 
less everlasting realms of eternity ever to hover ap- 
provingly when occasion shall require over other mor- 
tal armies of dauntless valor and constancy such as it 
has been in the great Civil War — one of God's instru- 
ments for the betterment of humanity and civil liberty 
— the most admired, honored, trusted and beloved by 
military geniuses of its period. 

After passing Sheridan about two hundred yards we 
arrived at the height of the land westerly from Ope- 
quan Creek where the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps 
were finally formed in lines of battle running about 
North and South behind a narrow belt of timber, ex- 
cept a little in front of the reserve, facing nearly west 
toward Winchester about two miles away. The form- 
ation of the ground at this point occupied by the Tenth 



154 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Vermont and Second Brigade was unusually peculiar.* 
The turnpike from this place virtually runs along the 
divide westerly towards Winchester between the name- 
less Creek we came up after crossing the Opequan 
and Abraham Creek, now on our right and north and 
the latter on our left to the south for a goodly distance 
the reason for which is obvious as in all such cases 
where streams have abrupt banks, while at the point 
where we debouched from the gulch we came up and 
formed line of battle was another little divide running 
north and south the east slope of which is partially 
an easterly watershed for Opequan Creek, and the 
west slope for the ravine or nameless rivulet running 
south about two hundred and fifty yards in front of 



*For nearly a score of years after the Civil War while 
in the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, I, as well as all other officers, 
had to map the wild country over which we scouted for 
hostile Indians on the plains between the Mississippi River 
and the Rocky Mountains. We used the prismatic compass 
bearings and odometer measurements, at the same time 
sketching the country passed over, showing all springs, 
rivulets and streams, their bank formations, all divides, 
buttes, mountains, etc., with elaborate notes, and sent the 
same to the Engineer Officer of the Department, from which 
all public maps have since been made of that country now 
largely in use. This in a measure had made me expert 
in treating such matters as well as battlefields. Never 
having seen a map that was correct of the locality about 
Winchester regarding Sheridan's battlefield in the first as- 
sault on Sept. 19, 1864, or the position of the enemy's 
Infantry, artillery, etc., and as so many writers wrongly 
describe this assault, I concluded before having my diary 
typewritten for publication to visit this part of the battle- 
field in order to give a fairly correct description of it; and 
the one herein is as accurate as can be given without the 
use of the prismatic compass, odometer, etc. 







^ S ? £ 

ibis 



tc ." 'm 









CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 155 



where we first formed line of battle in which was the 
enemy's infantry in strong force— probably two divi- 
sions or more — in front of our Third Division but not 
shown on any map of this battlefield I have ever seen, 
not even the official government one used in Haynes' 
"History of the Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry." 
(See No. 3, 6, 7 and 8 illustrations). It is the ravine 
through which the little short rivulet runs shown on 
said map just in front of our "First position" running 
southerly into a tributary of Abraham Creek. I am 
emphatic in this statement as having been on the 
battlefield twice since the fight occurred within a year 
(1908) for the purpose of trying to correct false his- 
tory and maps, I know whereof I write. I desire 
to impress this on all historians for I know of no one 
living who, owing to my elevated advanced position 
on the battlefield knows more of it. These two small 
divides before mentioned meet each other at right 
angles forming a letter T. The pike crosses the hori- 
zontal part of the T on leaving the gulch we came up 
from the Opequan in, and virtually runs along the first 
mentioned divide slightly to the left of all rivulet 
sources running southerly, forming the perpendicular 
part of the T towards Winchester, 

About a half mile to the right or north of the pike 
and about two hundred and fifty yards in front of 
our line of battle before advancing, a little to my 
right, the rivulet before mentioned, where the enemy 
was, heads, running in a partial semicircle the slightly 



156 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

convex side towards the right half of the Tenth Ver- 
mont and the concave side caused by a bend in the 
rivulet virtually at its source was largely in front 
of the Second brigade; (See No. 8 illustration) the 
stream runs southerly and drops rapidly after crossing 
the pike thus forming a gulch similar to the one we 
came up from the Opequan in, but apparently deeper 
and narrower near the left front of the Second Divi- 
sion. This sudden drop to the left of the turnpike 
made the divide here running north and south quite 
decided being fully ninety feet high or more which 
will probably partly account for the enemy's mostly 
being to the right of the pike there being no protec- 
tion immediately west from the divide running North 
and South. In my front on the right of the pike 
this divide was about fifty feet high running out 
rapidly on to almost level ground in front of the 
right of the Second Brigade of our division to my 
right,* which made its position untenable as the 

*In my letter about this battle to Chaplain E. M. Haynes, 
our regimental historian, which he used in his history of 
the Tenth Vermont, I stated that this ravine headed near 
my front towards the pike and ran northerly, the bottom 
spreading out fan-shaped to my right in front of the Nine- 
teenth Corps. I got this impression from the fact that the 
pike is considerably raised where it crosses this ravine to 
my left, and looked so much higher than the source of the 
rivulet to my right that I supposed it headed there and 
ran northerly. The stress of circumstances or conditions 
were such when I was advancing under a scorching fire 
and twice wounded, and the divide is so very flat at the 
point where the creek first starts, that a hasty glance such 
as one would get in assaulting, will easily account for such 
an optical illusion. Under such conditions, too, distances 
seemed greater than they really were. 







■y 't«, :r- \.it '' lis, ' 




■^ P M 

fair 

o p a'" , 



~ ^ rt "K 



— ID +j 



o 35 > tBjj 

C t> O oj s 

^■:^'- 

.i ;:; MU .9 . 

^ ^ i 2 I ;§ 
■5 ~ - 5 "" 2 

' _ ' ^^'3 



►■" 2 i=i Z; •- ^ •=> t^"" 
?: 2 ® -H t^-^-'a 

»'-§5~i2'?:^ 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 157 

ground was swept by both the enemy's artillery and 
infantry. 

The formation in front of the Nineteenth Corps 
which was our infantry right in the noon or first 
assault of the day was entirely different. (See Nos. 
4 and 5 illustrations). Its whole front after about 
three hundred yards down a gentle slope was broad 
and comparatively level with slight breaks several 
hundred yards across, but not probably impassable 
for infantry at any point, where three or more small 
rivulets apparently headed with banks so undefined and 
flat as to give no defensive protection in a military 
sense so the enemy had no men or infantry there so 
far as I could see, but did have at least a small show- 
ing of artillery which I could see far across the 
breaks. These rivulets run northerly probably into 
the rivulet we came up from the Opequan or the Red 
Bud, but I do not know this. They help to form 
a morass it is said, probably about a mile more or 
less from where I was about fifty feet wide in front 
of where Crook's Corps was later in the day and it was 
probably here that Colonel R. B. Hayes (Nineteenth 
President, U. S. A.) later in the day, at the head of 
his brigade plunged in on his horse which at once 
mired when he dismounted and waded across alone 
under fire followed as soon as he waved his hat to 
them to join him, by about forty of his men to try 
and capture a battery which, led by him, they did 
after a hand-to-hand fight with the gunners, the 



158 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

enemy having deemed the battery so secure that no 
infantry support had been placed near it,* which in- 
dicates that in this assault the bulk of the enemy's 
infantry force confronting our infantry was at first 
largely in front of our division on the pike. The 
trees in number 4 illustration along the Breaks in 1864 
were not there then. The open foreground is the 
divide running east and west in this illustration so 
it can be easily seen why the Nineteenth Corps had 
no considerable fighting to do here. 

The left of the enemy's line of infantry in the ravine 
in my front, so far as I could see, ended about nine 
hundred yards to my right at the head of the ravine 
as there was no cover further north except beyond 
the divide running east and west a good distance 
away to the north in front of the Nineteenth Corps, 
and its line was bent to conform to the ravine's direc- 
tion in my right front; (See No. 8 illustration) the 
head of the rivulet had quite flat banks the convex 
side of the creek and its near and most abrupt bank 
being toward us in my front, but the reverse at the 
head of the ravine. This was the point in the enemy's 
line where the gap in our lines occurred mentioned 
further on which owing to the flat artillery and mus- 
ketry-swept ground was untenable for the Second 
Brigade or any force except large enough to drive 
the enemy's infantry from its cover as was Russell's. 



*See "Descendants of George Abbott of Rowley, Mass.," 
p. 37. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 159 



(See Nos. 4 and 5 illustrations). If the historian 
hereafter accuses the Third Division of breaking- in 
this assault, it will be but fair to state extenuating 
circumstances, for a portion of the First Brigade 
was similarly situated and we got no direct effective 
flank help from our critics on either flank during the 
fight. The pike from our line of battle ran in an 
air line about nine hundred yards directly towards 
Winchester (See Nos. 2 and 9 illustrations) and was 
practically level except where it crossed the divide 
and little rivulet near my front where in the ravine 
the enemy had such a strong force in front of us 
about a regiment of which moved there across the 
pike from in front of the left of our First Brigade, 
(See No. 6 illustration) the Second Division having 
nothing in its immediate front in the ravine and the 
Vermont Brigade only a weak force in its distant 
left front beyond, but what a regiment could probably 
have easily handled and probably less than that did; 
but, nevertheless, that part of the Second Division 
next to us obliqued to the left to attack it which was 
what caused that Division to pull away from the 
Third Division's left at the same time the Nineteenth 
Corps pulled away from our right causing wide gaps 
— as the position which should have been occupied 
by the Second Brigade was vacant, too — thus leaving 
our brigade and especially our regiment, alone at a 
critical time when the gallant General Russell with 
his magnificent Division so grandly marched in and 



160 CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 

filled the gap on my right and lost his life in the 
act. (See No. 5 illustration). Our colors were on 
the pike thus bringing the right half of our regiment 
to the north or right side of it on open ground (See 
Nos. 3 and 5 illustrations) and leaving only about 
three regiments of our Division to the left of it on the 
wooded side hill (as shown in Nos. 3 and 7 illustra- 
tions) soon sloping abruptly towards the ravine in 
front which gave all our troops to the left of our 
colors on the pike some welcome cover but the right 
of our regiment and the Second Brigade, none. (See 
Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrations). 

The distance locally from where we crossed the 
Opequan to Winchester is called five miles ; and to 
where we formed line of battle three miles, and from 
thence to Winchester two miles. The local distance 
from Winchester to Stephenson's Station by the rail- 
road is six miles and to Summit Station twelve miles. 
There is no map in existence known to me giving the 
correct position of the enemy's infantry in the ravine 
in front of the Third Division, Sixth Corps ; it is 
placed nearly a half mile too far back or west, and 
nearer where the second assault of the day was. The 
illustrations which of course must be correct herein 
place the enemy right in front of the Third Division 
and I can make oath to it, in the first assault when I 
was twice wounded. But I will now return a little 
and endeavor to describe this brilliant battle. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 161 

We were drawn up as before stated, in two lines 
of battle at the west entrance of the canyon facing 
west on an open field about midway between Abra- 
ham Creek on the south and Red Bud Creek on the 
north just in rear of a long narrow strip of woods 
which served as a great curtain to a grand, broad, 
slightly rolling plain several miles in extent in every 
direction in our front, which was to be the stage that 
day with, the city of Winchester in the background, 
of one of the most dashing, picturesque battles 
probably ever fought in ancient or modern times at 
first with beautiful, silent nature about the only wit- 
ness. The Third Division, Sixth Corps, was in the 
left and most important center of the line in two 
lines, the Tenth Vermont on the Berryville-Winches- 
ter pike, the most important, dangerous and stubborn- 
ly contested point in the whole line; the Nineteenth 
Corps was on our right in two lines ; the intrepid 
Second Division, Sixth Corps in which was the gal- 
lant First Vermont Brigade, was on our left, one of 
the easiest places in the line ; General Russell's valiant 
First Division, Sixth Corps, as reserve was sta- 
tioned en masse a short distance in rear of where 
the right flank of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, 
and the left flank of the Nineteenth Corps joined, 
which was within a short distance and in plain sight 
of where I was, and our three Divisions of dashing, 
picturesque cavalry — including Wilson on our left 
along Abraham Creek running south of Winchester 



162 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

and Senseny Road, and Merritt and Averill on our 
right along the railroad and the Martinsburg pike — 
was massed en either flank for assault at the right 
moment on the enemy's flanks or as occasion might 
demand, while Crook's Eighth Corps was about a 
quarter of a mile en masse about in rear of the right 
flank of the Nineteenth Corps. 

At noon in the midst of a perfect bedlam caused by 
the roar of artillery, shrieking, bursting, hurtling 
shells, and the voices of many officers pitched high 
so as to be heard above the din, giving orders, the 
assault was made through the thin strip of timber in 
our front toward Winchester when we briefly halted 
and laid on the ground, and then across an open field 
beyond the woods in all about two hundred and fifty 
yards where I was, midst a perfect storm of solid shot 
and shell, rattling musketry on my right and front, 
and whizzing minie balls without being able to fire 
a rifle at first so well was the enemy in my front pro- 
tected by the lay of the ground and its rail breast- 
works. We persistently advanced, though, but it 
took a great deal of nerve and will power to do it in 
an open field without the slightest cover, all the time 
midst a perfect storm of iron and leaden hail and the 
cries of the wounded and dying which were discon- 
certing, until we drove the enemy back pell mell from 
its works in my front in the utmost confusion — yes, 
in a perfect stampede for they were old soldiers and 
knew when they were whipped, and when it was 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 163 



necessary to run with all their might to save them- 
selves from slaughter and ignominious capture. 
(See Nos. 3 foreground and Nos. 5 and 6 illustra- 
tions). 

The Tenth Vermont, Fourteenth New Jersey and 
the rest of our brigade as usual, not only proudly led 
the Division at first by a good deal in the advance 
through the woods but in this instance the whole army. 
It was therefore not only the most aggressive and 
conspicuous part of— being on high ground where I 
could see our line of battle each way — but the most 
important point in the line; was first seen when 
through the wood and the most dreaded by the enemy 
being on the pike, and in consequence its artillery 
fire within reach was concentrated on us, and it zvas 
a hot place. But soon, after recovering from the 
collapse of the Second Brigade on my right which 
wholly disappeared and nothing more was seen of it 
by me, with the valor of the old-time "Green Moun- 
tain Boys" on we went undaunted until, after we 
had advanced about seventy-five yards beyond the 
woods now extinct behind which we had formed in 
the open field where I was, being then on a high point 
where I could see the whole battlefield, I glanced to 
my right and left and was appalled to see that the 
troops on both fianks of my Brigade were obliquing 
rapidly away from us, the whole Nineteenth Corps 
in perfect lines of battle by an oblique movement to 
the right having pulled away from the right of our 



164 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Division until there was a gap big enough including 
that made by the Second Brigade, to more than admit 
a Brigade line of battle although it is said that Corps 
had been directed to guide on our Division and that a 
similar state of affairs existed on our left flank where 
the Vermont brigade was.* (See No. 3 through open- 
ing in woods showing No. 7 ; also see No. 5 where I 
was in the foreground). With a feeling of dismay 
I slackened my pace and nearly halted for I saw that 
through the gap in the very center and most vital point 
in our line on my right towards the Nineteenth Corps 
opposite which point was a strong force of the 
enemy's infantry awaiting us behind its works on the 
near edge of a little valley which protected it from 
our fire until right on it, it would throw its force so 



*It is alleged by one or more writers that this gap was 
partly caused by a turn in the pike to the left, and as the 
Tenth Vermont had been ordered to guide on the pike its 
colors being on it, this alleged turn in the pike caused the 
regiment to oblique to the left. This is incorrect. The 
turn in the pike when this dangerous gap was caused 
partially by the obliquing of the Nineteenth Corps to its 
right, which General Russell's Division filled, was about 
six hundred yards behind the rebel line of battle, a little 
beyond the enemy's battery close to the right of the pike, 
an exploding shell from which knocked me down, and this 
turn in the road at this time was within the enemy's lines 
in the rear of this battery, and it was then shelling us. 
The pike was perfectly straight from us to this turn, about 
a quarter of a mile away, or about a half mile from where 
we formed line of battle, the road being virtually straight, 
as can be seen from Nos. 2 and 9 illustrations. Our line 
of battle wasn't formed at right angles with the pike, hence 
the obliquing alleged. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 165 



situated opposite the gap on our right and left flanks 
caused by the gap and have us completely at its mercy ; 
but glancing almost immediately again to my right 
and rear, hearing loud military commands there, my 
spirits rose as I saw the gallant Russell leading his 
splendid Division en masse through the opening in the 
timber in his front, magnificently forward as though 
at drill to fill the gap. The appearance of his column 
greatly relieved us, as it drew the concentrated artil- 
lery fire from our column by the enemy largely to his. 
The whole battle scene at this moment at this point 
was one of appalling grandeur, one which no beholders 
could ever forget, provided they could keep their nerve 
well enough to preserve their presence of mind suf- 
ficiently to take in the situation midst the screeching 
shells and appalling musketry fire. The splendid ap- 
pearance of General Russell's Division elicited a cry 
of admiration from all who saw it. It was the su- 
preme moment or turning point in the great tide of 
battle, and as Russell's men rapidly deployed latterly 
under a galling fire on the march either way in per- 
fect order enough to fill the gap, it was magnificent — 
beyond description — the grandest, best and most wel- 
come sight I ever saw in a tight place in battle, and 
so inspired me— seeing the danger of a flank move- 
ment had lassed— I again pushed forward to be in 
front and was there when the intrepid General Rus- 
sell, one of the best fighters in the army, was twice 
shot and soon died a short distance to my right rear 



166 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

just about the time I was also twice hit; (see Nos. 5 
and 6 illustrations) but when the enemy in my front 
and all along the little valley caught sight of our re- 
serve coming at them so majestically and in such solid 
phalanx and splendid order, it seemed to me the rebs 
couldn't run fast enough apparently to get away. It 
was the most sudden transformation on a battlefield 
I ever saw, as well as the most perfect stampede and 
rout ; and it was the enemy's last volley when it saw 
our reserve coming at them so determinedly that put 
a stop to my fighting for several months ; and but for 
our reserve coming on the field just as it did I would 
have been worse riddled than I was by the enemy and 
killed even lying on the ground wounded, as I was 
wholly exposed where I lay close on their works not 
a rod away, the ground sloping towards them. 

General Sheridan's plan of battle was perfect and 
I shall never cease to admire him as the greatest mili- 
tary genius I have ever seen on a battlefield, for by 
this and his pluck and dash, I see the secret of his great 
successes. The plan of battle was fully developed by 
the time I fell twice badly wounded — at first I sup- 
posed mortally — only a few feet in front of the enemy's 
works, and as I arose partially recovered from the 
shock of being twice hit, quivering and bleeding pro- 
fusely, one of the first things my eye caught was 
Sheridan all alone without a staff officer or even an 
orderly near him, about forty yards in my rear, sitting 
his splendid thoroughbred horse like a centaur look- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 167 



i„g_all animation his very pose suggesting it— in- 
tently through his field glass toward the fleeing routed 
enemy and later after the third and last assault of the 
day all in a jumble with our undaunted dashing cavalry 
in perfect order sweeping across the great compara- 
tively level plain bordering Winchester, like a tornado, 
with banners, arms, brasses, etc., brightly gleaming in 
the blazing autumn sunlight— a battle scene, as badly 
as I was wounded, the forepart of which held me en- 
tranced. As I again soon turned after the first as- 
sault, Sheridan put spurs to his horse and off he 
dashed all animation to another part of the field to 
reform his line and so on, going finally like the wind 
into the very midst of the great congested jumble, the 
enemy trying like a frightened flock of sheep to force 
itself through the streets of Winchester all at one 
time, the men literally piling themselves at the main 
street entrances on top of each other in order to do so. 
No battle scene will remain photographed so vividly 
on my memory as the first part of this for I could 
see nearly the whole field from where I long remained. 
The fatal wounding in my sight near enough to hear 
his cry of anguish of my old Captain— Major Dilling- 
ham— and the killing of Major Vredenburg of the 
Fourteenth New Jersey from his horse by having his 
heart torn out, and others; General Russell's brilliant 
debouch with his dauntless division marching proudly 
on the battlefield en masse with all its enchanting 



168 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

glitter and precision to take a hand at the sacrifice of 
his life — unfortunate, gallant, dashing Russell — Mer- 
ritt, Averill and Custer's brilliant spirited final charges 
on the fleeing enemy, its disorder and worst possible 
rout all beggar description, our retreat at the battle of 
Monocacy, July 9, 1864, being one of order and dignity 
comparatively speaking. I felt revenged for my 
wound and at having to run so in retreat at the 
Monocacy, and for my two wounds that day even if 
I did totteringly tarry, maimed and speechless with 
paralyzed tongue, chin and blanched face to look at 
such a brilliant battle scene until I became so faint 
from loss of blood, shock and partial reaction, I could 
hardly go steadily and finally did accept help, having 
declined at first, from two faithful men of my Com- 
pany who, when I fell instead of stampeding stayed 
by me in one of the hottest places I have ever been 
in on a battlefield, one of whom was Corporal Joel 
Walker of Pownal, Vt. My first wound was from 
the butt end of an exploding shell in the breast which 
maimed and knocked me down and simultaneously as 
I fell a minie ball fired but a rod away in my front 
just grazed my forehead, torn through my upper lip 
crushing both jaws and carrying away eleven teeth, 
the most painless dentistry I ever had done ; but. Oh ! 
the shock it gave my system and the misery I suffered 
that night ! 

As I entered the long broad avenue running be- 
tween the great tents at the field hospital later in the 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 169 

day where there were hundreds of wounded, dead and 
dying, Dilling-ham, Hill and others of my regiment, 
among the number, Dr. J. C. Rutherford, one of my 
regimental surgeons, seeing me with a man on either 
side — for here in sight of others I wouldn't let them 
support me — close to and keenly watching my unsteady 
carriage, came running, hastily examined my wounds, 
bade me sit on the ground, ran for his instrument case, 
placed my head upturned between his knees, sewed in 
place a triangular piece of flesh extending from the 
right corner of my nose down hanging at the lower 
right corner by a slight shred of flesh, which I had 
held in place from the battlefield with my fingers, and 
that job for the time being was done; but oh! my 
aching head, jaws and chest, as well as the extreme 
feeling of lassitude for the balance of the day. My 
face was like a puff ball, so quickly had it swollen, my 
chest at the point of the wishbone — so to speak — was 
mangled black and blue and resembled a pounded piece 
of steak ready to be cooked, and I was so nauseated, 
lame and sore all over, I dreaded to move. I guess 
the rebs came pretty near winging me — but Glory ! 
Early was licked. To add to my feeling of depression, 
I was told Major Dillingham was mortally wounded 
and that he would soon pass away. He had been a 
good friend, a brave man, faultlessly courageous, was 
an elegant gentleman and good fellow, and was much 
beloved. A solid shot severed a leg going through 



170 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

the woods ; his cry of anguish was distressing, and I 
shrink from thinking of it whenever it conies into my 
mind. 

I fell just in front of the enemy's hastily thrown up 
breastworks of fence rails in the vanguard after ad- 
vancing under a murderous fire about a hundred yards 
or more, in the open field after passing through the 
woods. I saw no other line officer with his men 
anywhere in my vicinity so far in front, and there was 
no other officer there in the open field except Ad- 
jutant Wyllys Lyman who was lauded for \<, but I, 
being a boy, got nothing but my two wounds as com- 
pliments for my steadfastness, and they will stay with 
me through life. I wonder if when across the Great 
River and in another world I will be remembered any 
better for my faithfulness when so many others failed 
at such an important moment?* 

*Major Lyman was afterwards honored with a brevet 
as Major, but I was only mentioned in routine official 
papers as wounded. Why he, being Adjutant, and there- 
fore representing the regimental commander, and the only 
officer who saw me, didn't see to it that my services were 
duly recognized as well as his, I have never been able to 
understand. It always stirs my spirit when I think of it, 
for if anyone deserved recognition for that day's work 
it was the leaders in such an assault, for on such largely 
depended its success; and certainly if Lyman deserved 
recognition who had no command, then why shouldn't one 
who did, whose men largely followed him, as well as some 
of the men of five other companies which I had success- 
fully led in other fights? It is hard to be reconciled to 
such unfair discriminations. But brevets in many regi- 
ments were quite as apt to be given for scheming and 
favoritism as for merit, and some of the most meritorious 
line officers who fought gallantly on the front line of bat- 
tle through almost the entire war, received no such recog- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 171 



I found the men of Company E good fighters, Cor- 
poral Walker and another big man of my Company 
whose name I can't recall, being so short a time with 
the Company — but believe it was one of the Brownells, 
also of Pownal, Vt. — who helped me occasionally go- 
ing to the ambulance as I felt faint and weak, were 



nition from their regimental commanders, although such 
line officers' exhibitions of dash and daring, especially in 
the Tenth Vermont, which was one thing that gave the 
regiment an enviable reputation both in the field and at 
home, were very frequent. The company commanders of 
this regiment did not follow their men into battle, at any 
rate to commence with, but led them continually when 
fleet enough to do so, and I always did. Being almost in- 
variably selected when a lieutenant to command a com- 
pany without an officer, I was with one exception alone 
with no company commander to observe and report my 
work, and my different regimental commanders didn't take 
sufficient interest to do so, even if where they could ob- 
serve it; but the fact that I was almost invariably selected 
to command different companies in battle when needed and 
that I overslaughed several lieutenants when promoted 
Captain, should have been reason enough for at least one 
brevet during the war, if nothing more, which since, in 
the regular army, would have saved me from frequent 
undeserved embarrassment. A long experience, however, 
both in the Civil War and the regular army since in the 
observance of the bestowal of brevets and medals of honor 
has caused me to regard with very little respect in many 
instances the recipient's methods in obtaining such favors, 
and especially the system of bestowal of the same, which 
is a sacred trust. And certainly if in most cases such con- 
sideration was warranted, then many of my acquaintances 
who were not recognized even once, especially in the Civil 
War, could have been repeatedly decorated with the far 
greater propriety. But with me such distinctions were not 
worth having except earned in the estimation of others 
competent to judge, and came unsolicited. Such, however, 
is rarely the case, even when repeatedly deservedly won, 
and the only reward for such is to tell the truth about 
it historically whenever the opportunity offers, regardless 
of criticism. 



172 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

brave fellows. They followed me closely all through 
the assault as though they expected me to be 
hit, fighting like heroes as they were at the 
same time, and when I fell wounded they dropped 
close by me, Corporal Walker, a giant, coolly saying: 
"Don't get up Lieutenant, they'll riddle you if you do!" 
but I thought they already had. However, the 
nervous shock of both wounds was too great to think 
of rising at once, and almost immediately the rebs 
were running for dear life all branches of the service 
mixed together in confusion — a perfect jumble. We 
had licked them in a square stand up open field fight 
of their own choice — and a very poor one, too, for 
them in case of defeat, as it proved — and it was clean 
cut, the worst stampede and rout I every saw. 

Sheridan was as brave as a lion, and unlike some 
commanders who hunt cover when their commands 
are fighting, went seemingly fearlessly anywhere he 
wanted to in order to see what was going on and what 
if any part of the line needed reinforcing. As before 
stated, my position on the battlefield was sufficiently 
high to see nearly all of it. It being a beautiful sunny 
Fall day with a clear atmosphere, it was the most 
spectacular, and before the Infantry broke, the most 
beautiful battlefield sight seen, and better yet, the most 
snappy, brilliant fighting witnessed during the war. 
Sheridan hovered near the centre in the neighborhood 
of the high ground where I was twice wounded, and 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 173 

dashed back and forth the line on horseback like a 
restless lion, an ideally alert fighter, almost as un-* 
mindful of shot and shell as though both deaf and 
blind. It was here that I formed my opinion that he 
was not only the ideal fighter, but the second, if not 
the greatest military genius developed by the Civil 
War, and I have never changed my opinion. Honest, 
alert, aggressive, dashing and brave with splendid 
judgment, his equal will be hard to find, and probably 
rarely surpassed. He was generally conceded a bril- 
liant cavalry fighter, but if the world has ever produced 
a better planned, executed, dashing, brilliant spectacu- 
lar, snappy battle or commander than he and this 
Battle of Winchester, where the different branches of 
the service were combined, take it from first to last 
during the day, it would be interesting to know on 
what occasion. It was so unlike any battle ever seen 
by me that all others sink into insignificance as dull 
aflfairs. Language or words even with the most gifted 
talkers or writers can never describe this battle ; no 
pen picture, or ever so gifted talker can do it justice; 
it would have to be seen by an expert to be fully ap- 
preciated. Ever afterwards the Sixth Corps of all 
others was Sheridan's favorite. Said he later: "Give 
me the Sixth Corps and I will charge anywhere." 

Among the most admirable pictures of the fight — 
barring the orderly, majestic advance to battle of the 
whole army in unbroken lines — except after a little 



174 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

our division being unmercifully shelled from the start 
on the pike it could not withstand it, nor could any 
other have done so — as a whole after through the wood 
resembling an immense gracefully waving blue ribbon 
along the surface of the ground, caused by that en- 
chantingly swinging, billowy motion characteristic of 
regulars when marching in large bodies, its fluttering 
banners, glittering arms, equipments and its blue uni- 
forms looking prettier than ever in the bright Sep- 
tember sunlight under a bright blue sky specked with 
fleecy white clouds making a picture beautiful with 
perfect harmony of color, — was the beauty, grandeur 
and majesty of both Russell and Custer's splendid de- 
bouch on the battlefield with their valiant, intrepid 
commands, the former's proudly and majestically en 
masse in perfect order and cadence, line and bearing, 
coolly confident as though at parade, and the latter's 
also in perfect lines and order, as well as dashing, 
intrepid, spirited and assured bearing even the horses 
as though vicing with each other in speed to run down 
the unfortunate enemy, entering into the spirit of the 
occasion and sweeping rapidly like an avalanche down 
on the demoralized, fleeing and awe-stricken enemy 
with the fury and apparently almost certain destruc- 
tion of a tornado. These were pictures comprising 
awe, beauty, power, grandeur, order and disorder, 
dash, magnificence, valor, terror, confusion, inspira- 
tion and majesty to such an extent as to defy the pen 
picture of any writer however gifted. This battle 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 175 



was different from any other I ever saw. It was 
Sheridan's way of doing things— a revelation in war- 
fare. 

So far as this first assault is concerned it can be 
summed up -quite briefly. The only considerable 
amount of the enemy's infantry in the immediate 
front of the Union infantry line of battle was in the 
ravine in front of our division, and it was about 
two hundred and fifty yards away from where we 
formed line behind the woods; it was a very strong 
force. If the troops to our right and left instead of 
instinctively obliquing away from us veteran like to an 
easier place in their right and left fronts respectively, 
had guided on our division as it is claimed they were 
directed to do, they would have had an enfilading fire 
on the enemy on our front, the same as General Rus- 
sell's division would have had when it filled the gap 
to my right which the enemy knew would make their 
position untenable and so instantaneously retreated in 
a rout when it saw him coming dangerously near, his 
right flank overlapping their left. When Russell's 
movement was executed the Nineteenth Corps' Unas 
of battle hadn't even broken. There was no con- 
siderable number of the enemy before it within striking 
distance so far as I could see, and therefore nothing 
to break its lines so far as the enemy was concerned 
until it reached the breaks in its front. 

The Vermont Brigade could have easily advanced 
at any time of the assault or any other part of the 
Second Division, as there was nothing to speak of 



176 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

— as virtually acknowledged by Colonel Aldace F. 
Walker of that brigade in his "History of the Ver- 
mont Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley, 1864" — in its 
immediate front except about a regiment of the enemy 
which crossed the pike from his right and the left of 
our Brigade to my front.* (See No. 7 illustration). 
Had the Vermont Brigade borne to its right instead 
of its left it would have done much more effective 
service, as it would have been on high ground over- 
looking the enemy in my front when out of the ravine. 
In this instance the credit given this excellent brigade 
in at least one Civil War history is erroneous, without 
the Third Division was expected to whip at once and 
alone a considerable part of the infantry and artillery 
of Early's army in its immediate front, no small part 
of which was in our regimental front and its im- 
mediate right. In proof that there w^as no consider- 
able rebel force in front of the Second Division to the 
left of the pike until Early's second stand, the reader 
is invited to examine the official War De- 
partment map of this battle and note the fact; 
but aside from this I know there was none. What, 
therefore, was to prevent the Second Division 
or Vermont Brigade from advancing? Unlike our 
front, where the strip of timber was narrow, with 
the enemy strongly posted just beyond, the scrub or 
second growth oak, etc., in front of a part of the 



*Haynes' "History of the Tenth Vermont Infantry, 
253. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. Ill 

Second Division next to us, extended from the top 
of the ridge or divide which ran several hundred 
yards southerly, down to the bottom of the ravine a 
hundred yards more or less, which covered here the 
Second Division's advance and the cleared ground 
beyond, after emerging from the wooded side hill and 
ravine towards Winchester, contained no force of the 
enemy, as there was no immediate protection for it, 
sufficient to prevent its or even the Vermont Bri- 
gade's advancing, or the enemy would have done so. 
(See Nos. 3, 7 and 8 illustrations.) I mention this 
here because I knozv the facts in the premises, and 
because this Division is complimented — unfortunate- 
ly, but probably unwittingly so — in one or more his- 
tories for advancing, in unpleasant contrast to our 
Division, which was up against the real thing, and 
its advancing depended largely on the help or enfilad- 
ing fire along our front, we had a right to expect 
from the troops which should have guided on us from 
both flanks, but which we never got, as they pulled 
away from us. It was useless to try to take such a 
place as confronted the right of our regiment and 
Division by assaulting from its immediate front (see 
Nos. 5 and 6 illustrations), as the enemy had to be 
flanked out of its position, which is what Russell's 
men would have done on the rebel left in case the 
enemy hadn't seen them in season to get away and 
thereby saved many casualties on both sides, and prob- 
ably largely there the enemy's capture. 



178 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

There were none of the Second Brigade of our 
Division on my right after advancing through the 
woods, nor had there been up to the time General 
Russell's command filled the gap occasioned by the 
Second Brigade's absence, together with the space 
caused by the Nineteenth Corps obliquing to its right. 
It being level, shell and bullet swept, it was unten- 
able until a force came large enough to drive the 
enemy's infantry from cover, as Russell did. (See 
No. 5 illustration). I was the only officer except 
Adjutant Wyllys Lyman, who is deceased, so far 
ahead at that time on my part of the battlefield, and 
I can make affidavit to this statement. We and a 
goodly number of scattering men who generally led 
in most assaults were within a rod of the enemy's 
strongest manned works, zvhich no map in existence 
shows that I have seen, where I was twice almost 
instantaneously wounded when the enemy ran as it 
saw General Russell's Division coming, as though 
their lives depended upon it, and I knozif whereof I 
am writing. 

General Sheridan made no mistake when he se- 
lected the First Brigade for the centre and most im- 
portant point of his line of battle, nor was it a mistake 
to place our regiment and the Fourteenth New Jer- 
sey — with direction for the rest of the army to guide 
on our Division in the first assault, for the road was 
practically straight — squarely across the pike, with 
their colors on it, with such men as Corporals Alex- 
ander Scott, F. H. Hoadley, Tenth Vermont, and 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 179 



other of the color guard like them, to keep them there, 
for such men would go wherever told to, if into the 
very jaws of death. The leaving off from the official 
map of this battle of the enemy's infantry in the 
ravine in front of the Third Division (see Nos. 6 and 
8 illustrations), is a great injustice to our regiment, 
which never wholly fell back, but the usual per cent. 
of men under such circumstances stubbornly pressed 
forward under the most trying circumstances at any 
rate where I was. The leaving off of the enemy's 
infantry in my front, where it was strongest, is mis- 
leading and is doubtless what has caused so many 
wrong descriptions of this fight. No one can give a 
correct description of it where I was except at that 
point during the fight. The enemy contested this 
point more stubbornly than any other during the day 
and it was here the most intrepid of our men as- 
saulted ; it was the doorway to the great battlefield, 
and if the enemy couldn't hold this point it couldn't 
hope to any other, and didn't. Although our division 
was smaller than either of the other divisions of our 
Corps, its loss was much heavier. General Grant had 
one hundred shotted guns fired on his lines in front 
of Petersburg in honor of this day's victory by Sheri- 
dan. A citizen of Winchester told me that one of the 
saddest things he saw during the day was a horse 
going through the streets of the city with two badly 
wounded and one dead Confederate soldiers on it — 
probably chums — the latter thrown over the horse's 
back with his head and arms hanging on one side 



180 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

and his feet on the other ; but war is a cruel teacher 
and produces the most shocking sights imaginable. 
It is not pleasant to record and much less dwell on 
them. 

The following pertaining to Sheridan's battle of 
Winchester has been discovered since writing the 
foregoing. It will be answered in detail. Says Col. 
Aldace F. Walker in his "History of the Vermont 
Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley, 1864," pp. 91- 
100: 

"Our movement commenced at 3 o'clock Monday 
morning, September 19th, Getty's Division having the 
advance, the Vermont Brigade being the last in the 
Division. Striking directly across the country, at 
first in the darkness, we presently reached the main 
road from Berryville to Winchester, and moved down 
it to the crossing of the Opequan. This stream is 
considerably below the level of the adjoining country, 
and the road on its further side keeps the low level 
of the stream for a mile or more, winding through a 
long, tortuous wooded ravine, our unobstructed pas- 
sage whereof was for the time a mystery. It seems 
that Wilson's Division of cavalry had already cleared 
the way and was then holding desperately a position 
that it had gained with considerable loss, but which 
proved a most admirable one in which to deploy our 
line of battle. 

"As we filed out of the ravine which toward the last 
was lined with wounded cavalrymen, we found Sheri- 
dan, his headquarters fixed on a conspicuous eleva- 
tion, personally superintending from the commence- 
ment the operations of the day. It was to be our 
first battle under his command, as well as his first 
independent battle ; the troops were hitherto destitute 
of all enthusiasm for him ; fortunately, however, no 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 181 



impression save a favorable one had as yet been re- 
ceived, it being universally conceded that he had so 
far handled his army handsomely. And it was with 
great satisfaction that we found him in this early twi- 
light at the very front, and under the fire of the enemy, 
carefully attending to details which we had been ac- 
customed to see more celebrated commanders entrust 
to their staff. 

"Our Division promptly relieved the cavalry and 
formed its line facing west, the Third Brigade which 
was in advance going to what was to be the extreme 
left of the infantry line, resting on Abraham_ Creek ; 
the First Brigade following, took up its position on 
the right of the Third, and our own Brigade filled the 
remaining distance between the First and the road 
on which we had reached the battlefield. It had been 
intended to place us in two lines, but the unex- 
pected extent of the ground we had to cover forbade 
that formation. We were just on the hither edge of 
a narrow fringe of wood that concealed us from 
the enemy; the Sixth Vermont was thrown forward 
as a skirmish line perhaps one hundred yards to the 
further side of the little forest, and at once engaged 
the enemy's skirmishers." 

About three regiments, I believe, of the First Bri- 
gade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, were to the left 
or south of the road, so the Vermont Brigade didn't 
reach to the pike. 

"Near us in the road at our right was a rebel field 
work, taken by Wilson in the night. The hill on 
which it was situated commanded the country in both 
directions, and it was already occupied by a battery 
engaged in feeling the enemy, which was answered 
vigorously, many of the rebel shell plunging over 
into the troops as they successively came up the road. 
"Our Division thus formed in a single line was the 
onlv Division on the south or left of the road. The 



182 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Third Division, Ricketts', followed us and prolonged 
the line across and on the north of the road, placing 
its two Brigades in two lines. The First Division, 
Russell's, came next, and was drawn up behind the 
Third as a third line or reserve, also somewhat over- 
lapping the right of our Brigade." 

About three regiments or more of the Third Di- 
vision, Sixth Corps, I believe, were south of the road, 
on the right of the Second Division. When General 
Russell's Division charged it was about two hundred 
yards to the right of the Tenth Vermont, or about 
seven hundred yards or more to the right of Col. 
Walker's brigade. 

"Then to our surprise no more troops appeared, 
and our Corps was alone confronting the enemy. 
There were two or three anxious hours, but Early 
was engaged in hurrying up his detachment from 
Bunker Hill, which this delay gave him ample time to 
do, and made no assault. It was said that the Nine- 
teenth Corps, being ordered to follow the Sixth, had 
filed into the road behind our wagon train, instead of 
keeping closed up on our column. It is certain that 
with this loss of time, from whatever reason it oc- 
curred, we lost the opportunity of attacking the enemy 
in detail, and gave him time to prepare for our recep- 
tion. It was noon before the Nineteenth Corps had 
reached its place and was formed in three or four lines 
on the right of the Sixth." 

The Nineteenth Corps was formed in two lines on 
the right of the Sixth. 

"Our men during the forenoon had been resting, 
sitting or lying on the ground. When at last the 
disposition was completed and the signal gun was fired, 
they sprang to the ranks, and the line advanced. 
Particular instructions had been received to the effect 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 183 

that the road was to give the direction of attack, and 
that the guiding regiment was to be the left regiment 
of the Third Division, just across the road from our 
right."' 

The guiding regiments were the Tenth Vermont 
and Fourteenth New Jersey, on the right of the First 
Brigade, about the center of the Third Division. 

"In passing through the bit of trees in our front, 
which was filled with underbrush, our line was neces- 
sarily thrown somewhat into confusion. When we 
emerged from the wood and the ground over which 
we must make our attack was developed, the pros- 
pect was appalling. The hill gradually sloped away 
before us, for a quarter of a mile, to a long ravine, 
irregular in its course, but its windings extending 
either way as far as we could see. The ascent beyond 
it was in" most places sharp, and the enemy held its 
crest in force, perfectly commanding with musketry 
and artillery the long slope down which we must pass, 
though the acclivity on the further side of the hollow 
was so steep as to actually present a cover from their 
fire — if it could once be reached. 

"When this fearful prospect opened the line invol- 
untarily halted, and the men threw themselves on 
the ground as was their wont when under fire. Our 
own Brigade was properly waiting for the movement 
of the guiding regiment' which lay across the road 
a little to our rear, and which could not be prevailed 
upon to stir. To add to the peril of the situation, 
the road, instead of continuing straight on, as seems 
to have been expected, here made a bend to the left 
so that our original orders could not be obeyed with- 
out an amount of obliquing that would have resulted 
in demoralization; from this cause our own Brigade 
was soon afterwards thrown into temporary confusion, 
and the Third Division was presently so disorganized 



184 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

as to be unable to resist a counter-charge made against 
it by the enemy." 

The whole line in front of the enemy's infantry in 
the ravine in front of the Third Division halted after 
through the narrow belt of timber behind which we 
had formed, as the trees, brush and terrible shelling 
had broken the lines and the advanced men where 
I was laid down to avoid the storm of shells which 
filled the air till the men got together, which they 
soon largely did. It was here found the Second Bri- 
gade on my right had excusably gone to pieces, the 
ground in its front being untenable, which caused 
some delay; but soon we advanced alone without that 
Brigade, as did the Nineteenth Corps. This was why 
the Tenth Vermont or guiding regiment, at this time 
where I was, didn't move forward sooner. The bend 
to the left in the road is largely a myth. The line 
of battle wasn't formed at right angles with it which, 
as the line advanced led to some confusion, as our 
colors had to be kept on the pike. There was no 
counter charge in front of where I was in the Tenth 
Vermont or disorganization, except in the Second Bri- 
gade, but what was soon remedied. The enemy could 
do more effective work by remaining in cover with 
little loss, which it did. 

"At length the commander of the Brigade at our 
right crossed to our side of the road and urged us 
to set his men the example. Col. Warner took the 
responsibility, brought the Brigade to its feet, cor- 
rected the alignment, and gave the command to ad- 
vance, which was promptly obeyed. The Third Di- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 185 

vision followed and the line was again in motion. 
But our point of direction was lost, for we were 
in advance of our guides, and when it was seen that 
owing to a curve in the ravine before us the cover 
on its further side could be reached much sooner by 
obliquing sharply to the left, we took that direction 
almost by common consent, and left the road-side." 
Why shouldn't Col. Warner with virtually no enemy 
in his immediate front be able to set an example 
of advancing his line when the Third Division was up 
against the real thing, it being confronted with over- 
whelming numbers of the enemy's infantry in the 
ravine and artillery back of it in our immediate front 
pretty much all that confronted the army in that mid- 
day assault? The situation in front of our lines is 
fully explained in this work elsewhere, and an alleged 
''bend" in the road or a "curve" in the ravine will not 
suffice to excuse the troops on our immediate left for 
not at once helping to flank the enemy's infantry from 
in front of us in the ravine, at once when on high 
ground across the ravine instead of running off on the 
field on a comparatively useless easy task and then 
have to come back. Where was there any infantry of 
any amount except in the ravine in front of the Third 
Division? Why not give the Third Division its due? 
The killed and wounded tell the story. Didn't our 
Division have about as many killed and wounded as 
both the First and Second Divisions together, although 
smaller than either? No fair-minded soldier or per- 
son can study the illustrations even, in this work, and 
fail to see the facts. 



186 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

"Our whole Brigade, every man at the top of his 
speed, making for the coveted protection of the hill 
beyond us, plunged pell mell into the hollow. The 
troops at our right and left were lost sight of. The 
ravine was of some considerable width and its bottom 
was marshy, being the head waters of a little branch 
of Abraham Creek. The steep slope on its further 
side was covered with evergreens six or eight feet 
high. To our intense consternation, as we reached its 
swampy bottom, we saw at our right, at short pistol 
range, at least a full regiment of the enemy drawn up 
in line near the point where the road crosses the hol- 
low, in anticipation of our taking precisely the course 
we did, and firing coolly, as rapidly as they could 
load, directly along our line, thus enfilading us com- 
pletely. Its position is indicated on the plan. The 
slaughter was for a few moments murderous. We 
could not retreat, for we should again enter the fire 
that had been mowing us down in the charge, now cut 
oiT by the hill before us. We therefore floundered on, 
our coherence entirely lost, entered the clusters of 
evergreens through which the cruel bullets whistled 
fearfully, and at last, a confused mass at best, those 
of us who escaped unhurt reached comparative safety 
under the very crest of the hill, and high above the 
deadly hollow." 

The probabilities are that old soldier-like seeing 
or suspecting the true situation, the men intuitively 
or purposely obliqued away to an easier place of attack ; 
at any rate they did it. Yes, the rebel regiment which 
was seen in the ravine was in front of the left of our 
brigade, but crossed to the north side of the pike to 
my front early in the fight leaving no rebel force in 
the ravine south of the pike in front of the Second 
Division on the left of ours. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 187 



"We now opened fire for the first time during the 
day, in the direction of the regiment or brigade that 
had so frightfully thinned our ranks, but they v/ere al- 
most out of reach from us, as well as we from them. 
At this moment, however, the Third Division ap- 
proached them and they filed away." 

It is difficult to conceive why if the enemy could 
fire at the union forces here they could not return the 
compliment, at any rate to one who has so recently 
studied the ground. It was a good thing the Third 
Division was 'round to drive the rebs away, otherwise 
they might have more "frightfully thinned" Col. 
Walker's ranks. It would be interesting to know ex- 
actly how many men Col. Walker lost here. 

"When this was discovered, and after gaining 
breath, our own advance was resumed, but with little 
pretense at order. Emerging upon the plain before 
us at the summit of the hill we had climbed, we again 
turned obliquely towards the road and charged upon a 
long breastwork filled with rebels, in our immediate 
front. The retreat of their comrades from the ravine 
apparently demoralized them ; many fled, many more 
were captured ; in fact as we clambered over the 
parapet it seemed as if the prisoners who then sur- 
rendered exceeded in number our entire Brigade." 

I saw this movement when the men advanced seem- 
ingly to me in an undeployed skirmish line over the 
open flat ground beyond the ravine not shown in No. 
7 illustration, but further to the right. It was a weak 
force and could not have met any determined resist- 
ance from any considerable body; indeed there was 
but a small force of the enemy's infantry on that part 
of the field. 



188 CI I'll J FAR DIARY, 1864. 

"But we did not stop to count them or to care for 
them. The principal position of the enemy in this por- 
tion of the field had now been gained, and we rushed 
onward toward the distant spires of Winchester, with 
shouts and cheers, now thoroughly excited by our un- 
expected success. A battery of the enemy was 
before us, but it limbered up and retired as we ad- 
vanced. Several times it turned, fired a round of 
canister, and resumed its flight. At our left the other 
Brigades of our Division were seen moving on in our 
support. At our right an unfortunate ridge now 
rose, parallel with our line of advance, along the top 
of which ran the road so often referred to, and 
which hid our friends from view ; we could only hope 
that they were equally successful, and push wildly 
forward. A point was reached probably three-fourths 
of a mile beyond the entrenchments where we had 
captured the prisoners, when luckily a ditch running 
across our path suggested cover and a pause. This 
ditch was reached only by the colors of the Fifth, 
with perhaps two hundred men from the various regi- 
ments. Exhausted with running, they opened fire 
as vigorously as they could, but a line of rebels was 
seen gradually collecting in their front, as the fugi- 
tives were rallied, and the position held by our troops 
was presently dangerously threatened. And now to 
their dismay, the Brigade on the higher ground to 
their left saw reason for retiring and called for them 
to follow. What it could mean they did not knov/, 
but it seemed prudent to withdrav/, if only for the 
purpose of keeping up the connection. An officer 
sent to investigate soon reported that at least a Di- 
vision of the enemy were far behind their right in an 
orchard, which they supposed had been carried by the 
Third Division. Orders were given therefore to fall 
back to the line of the army, following the low ground 
on the left, thus keeping under cover of the hill at 
the right, the enemy meantime being absorbed in their 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 189 

movement against Ricketts ; and thus the detachment 
successfully escaped from its dangerous position and 
re-formed with the balance of the Brigade near the 
works we had carried, being as before on the right 
of the other Brigades of our Division, connecting with 
and at first even in front of the support which was 
put in to meet the emergency." 

Having watched this whole proceeding, which Sher- 
idan saw, too, through his field glass just behind me, 
after I was wounded and the enemy from the ravine 
in my front and its artillery were in full retreat, it 
reads absurdly. The action of the enemy in Col, 
Walker's front largely depended on that of the enemy 
in ours, which had been routed and was in full pell mell 
retreat when Col. Walker's men were advancing in 
small irregular groups away from the before-men- 
tioned ravine (see No. 7 illustration) they were so 
seemingly anxious to leave. As a matter of fact if 
they had swung to the right in and on the high ground 
west of the ravine, together with the left of our 
brigade, they would have done much more effective 
service. The retreating battery mentioned — and 
others further north not mentioned — retreated because 
its infantry in the ravine in my front was routed. 
As a matter of fact these Second Division men were 
operating comparatively uselessly far on the enemy's 
rear right flank and were in a dangerous situation as 
soon as the bulk of the enemy's infantry in my front 
should reach that neighborhood. I saw this, as did 
Sheridan, and it was one thing that caused him to put 
spurs to his horse and dash away to send a staff offi- 



190 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

cer to recall these forces. The five succeeding quoted 
paragraphs are disingenuously conceived and mislead- 
ing. They are worse than worthless for historical 
purposes because mischievous. The Vermont Bri- 
gade was too grand a body of men to be mortified by 
exaggerations and overdrawn situations. The truth 
is glorious enough, and to write on such a basis is 
dignified and fair. 

"We afterwards learned that a break had taken 
place on the right which for a time seemed likely 
to result in complete disaster. The report in our Corps 
was, that the Nineteenth, advancing through a long 
stretch of forest and at first successful, had after- 
wards been repulsed, and fled in disorder, many of 
the fugitives even going back to the Creek, and that 
our Third Division had been checked soon after we 
lost sight of it, presently becoming more or less in- 
volved in the flight of the Nineteenth Corps. On the 
other hand Gen. Emory, commanding the Nineteenth 
Corps, in a letter published in the World, which was 
fortified with affidavits, insisted that the break began 
at the right of our Third Division, which led to the 
turning of his left and the consequent retiring of his 
Corps. The official reports disagree as much as the 
letters of the correspondents, who of course reflected 
the opinions of the several headquarters to which they 
were attached, and who created considerable ill-feeling 
by the discrepancies in their accounts, and by their 
insinuations ; the truth is probably between the claims 
of both, and the real cause of the enemy's temporary 
success seems to have been the unfortunate bend in 
the road above mentioned, which interfered with and 
destroyed the symmetry of our first advance. Our 
Third Division obliqued to the left as it moved against 
the enemy, following the order to guide on the road, 
(there were few or no fences in that vicinity) and so 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 191 

left an interval between its right and the Nineteenth 
Corps, which appears to have gone in impetuously 
and with little order ; the enemy presently made a 
counter-charge, and, luckily for them, struck the gap 
with a heavy force, crumbling off the troops on either 
side of it, and causing the troops on each side of the 
interval to think that the others had let the enemy 
through. The front line of the Nineteenth Corps 
was almost entirely disorganized, and was replaced by 
the second line, while only the right of our Third 
Division was broken up, its left with our own Division 
merely retiring a short distance under orders, as was 
necessary in order to keep a continuous front." 

This is widely erroneous ; Emery's left was some- 
what broken at first by the terrific shelling from our 
front, but it was only in the edge of the shell storm 
at first when going through the wood. His alleged 
collapse virtually of the right of our Third Division, 
or Second Brigade, going through the narrow belt of 
timber behind which we formed, is correct as before 
stated, for it was immediately on my right, and I 
know it; it was largely what we halted and laid down 
for after getting through the timber. We feared 
being flanked ; but the delay was short, for I almost 
immediately moved forward with my men and others 
alone over that flat, unsheltered ground, then being 
unmercifully swept by artillery and musketry till it 
was virtually untenable. The Nineteenth Corps in- 
stead of obliquing to the left towards us to shorten 
the interval and help us, intuitively obliqued the other 
way; but fortunately there was no road or bend in 
it to blame it to. In my opinion it was as clear a 



192 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

case of shirk as to the left of the Third Division, or 
a desire to find an easier point to attack. Emery's 
corps didn't retire that I know of, and our brigade 
I know didn't. The marching of his troops in two 
long lines was one of the spectacular sights of the day ; 
it was a beautiful feature. It assaulted to the north 
of the slight divide running east and west, where I 
saw no infantry nor artillery except a little of the 
latter far across the breaks. The enfilading infantry 
and artillery fire from our front at first was about all 
Emery had to fear, but his Corps soon obliqued away 
from it. There was no counter charge by the enemy 
in my front or to either side, and in this I am em- 
phatic, as well as in the fact that general officers were 
not where they could see as well as I. There has 
been more fiction written about this fight than 
any I was ever in. 

"At the critical moment General Wright, who was 
for the day in command of the Sixth and Nineteenth 
Corps, though (as he says) 'it was too early in the 
battle to choose to put in the reserves, still, seeing 
that the fate of the day depended on the employ- 
ment of this force,' promptly ordered in the First 
Division with two batteries ; it marched gallantly 
down, with its full Division front, to the very face 
of the enemy, relieving the Third Division, which, re- 
forming, presently took up its position still further 
to the right, where the interval had before been left. 
Sheridan held back General Upton's Brigade of the 
First Division until it could strike the flank of the 
charging column of the rebels, when it made the most 
remarkable and successful charge of the day. com- 
pletely breaking up the rebel assault, and permitting 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 193 



our shattered line again to knit itself into coherence. 
General Upton was there wounded and the brave un- 
ostentatious Russell, the idol of the Division he com- 
manded, was shot dead, while personally employed 
restoring the broken line. 

"The two hours following were spent in re-arrang- 
ing the troops, issuing ammunition, and making dis- 
positions for another advance." * * * 

General Russell's Division started to march on the 
field en masse and deployed en route ; it was one of 
the grandest sights of the day or entire war. I never 
saw such splendid discipline under fire in a large 
body of men. It didn't relieve our brigade in the 
sense taken above, but did in partially drawing the 
enemy's musketry and artillery fire from us, which 
was appalling and effective. Our Brigade didn't re- 
form. I was close on the enemy's rail breastworks 
in the ravine with my men leading the assault. There 
was no chance to reform : it was give and take. Rus- 
sell's men didn't even get the opportunity of getting 
near enough the rebels to get satisfaction, for they 
ran when my men and I were within a rod of their 
works directly in front. There was no considerable 
bend in the road or anything else that obliqued my 
men either way to any great extent. The enemy ran 
before Russell was within effective striking or flanking 
distance. The enemy didn't charge. If General Upton 
assaulted its flank it wasn't here. I am emphatic in 
this, for not twenty seconds after I was twice almost 
simultaneously wounded during the enemy's last volley, 
it was running for dear life and Sheridan thirty sec- 



194 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

onds later was on his horse on the high ground close 
in my rear looking through his field glass to see where 
the enemy was going to make a second stand, and at 
other things evidently displeasing to him on his left, 
where Colonel Walker and the Second Division 
were. The whole field of active fighting could be 
seen from here. Five of the battlefield views herein 
were taken from this point. Colonel Walker is 
such a graceful, fluent writer it is a pity he couldn't 
know the whole facts about the battles the Vermont 
troops were in. His works would doubtless then be 
charmingly interesting and entertaining. 

As several eminent persons, mistakenly as I think, 
in recent years, in a moment of weakness and gush 
have classed General R. E. Lee as one of the greatest 
of modern field marshals, and as the battles of Ope- 
quan Creek or Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, and 
Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3, 1863, both of which I have 
carefully studied, furnish an excellent opportunity for 
a few pertinent questions as to the ability of Generals 
Grant, Sheridan and Lee to plan and manage suc- 
cessfully great battles, I cannot refrain from taking 
up the matter at this point, and I defy any honest 
man of expert judgment to successfully controvert 
my stand. 

It might as well be said of Sheridan or of Grant, 
as it has already been of Lee by partial and incom- 
petent judges, that either of the former were the 
equal of Marlborough or Wellington, and far more 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 195 

truthfully so than of Lee. Had the fortunes of war 
placed Sheridan in command of the Army of the 
Potomac at any period of the Civil War, there is no 
doubt but what that war would have developed in 
him a field marshal exceeding in dash, ability and 
brilliancy any military genius of either ancient or 
modern times. He was a born soldier, unspoilt by 
training, success or anything else, and was blessed 
with splendid common sense. He was a genius, for, 
says a popular poet: 

"There is no balking Genius. Only death 
Can silence it or hinder. While there's breath 
Or sense of feeling, it will spurn the sod, 
And lift itself to glory, and to God. 
The acorn sprouted — weeds nor flowers can choke 
The certain growth of th' upreaching oak." 

One secret of Sheridan's success lay largely in his 
ability to so plan a battle as to fight his whole com- 
mand effectively all at once, and in such a way that 
with his dash and unexpected coup de main, the enemy 
was usually whipped before the fight was fairly com- 
menced. With Sheridan in command during the Civil 
War, President Lincoln would never have had to 
urge action on the part of the Army of the Potomac 
as with McClellan and others, except Grant, when 
ready to fight, nor would it have been fought in de- 
tail, which was invariably a fatal fault with both 
armies, for Sheridan didn't fight that way ; there were 
no unfought reserves in his army. When he struck 
it was with so much method, dash, determination and 



196 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

judgment it brought brilliant results, such as aston- 
ished even his own army, which always expected vic- 
tory, as well as the enemy and every one else ; and 
in consequence he could accomplish more with fewer 
men than any other General in the army; not only 
because he used his force to the best advantage by 
fighting it all at once, but because his personal mag- 
netism, or hypnotism, enthused the men and gave 
them confidence, which is a great thing in battle ; 
besides, they had implicit faith in his ability, splendid 
judgment and quick perception on the battlefield, 
which are indispensable gifts in a great General ; and 
when combined with an alert, active temperament such 
as his, it was grand. He was a great field marshal. 
This is proven from the fact that anything he under- 
took in the Civil War was not only xvell done if 
decently supported, but he proved himself grandly 
equal to any occasion on the field of battle, wherever 
the fortunes of war placed him — not tamely so, but 
brilliantly ; he electrified his men as well as the world 
by his splendid dash, pluck and surprisingly over- 
whelming victories. A slight reverse not only left 
him undaunted but, like a raging lion, it seemed to 
arouse his wonderful gifts and raise him to such sub- 
lime heights it awed one ; so that the moment the eye 
of his command caught a vision of him at any distance 
on the battlefield, his very pose and action was such 
it electrified and imbued his men with the same spirit 
of conquer or die that dominated him, and no enemy 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 197 

could or ever did stand for any length of time before 
his intrepid command. 

Who but Sheridan, as at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 
1864, just a month to a day after his splendid victory 
at Opequan Creek, Sept, 19, 1864, or Winchester, Va., 
as now more properly known, could have rallied a de- 
feated and routed army en route to the front and after 
and so enthused it in the act, simply by dashing, alert 
and crafty through its broken ranks after a twenty 
mile race with time from Winchester, with flashing 
eyes, bared head and waving hat, on a spirited foam- 
ing horse, shouting to his men: "Get back into line, 
men! Get into line, quick! We can lick 'em! We 

can lick h 1 out of 'em yet!" and do it almost at 

once, even as brilliantly so as at Winchester a month 
previous? How often are such things done? Such 
a man outclasses all others in military history, not 
excepting Wellington or Marlborough, for such a man 
as Sheridan .is without a peer as a field marshal in 
the annals of warfare ; and had he been found sooner 
and given greater responsibilities he would not only 
have surely proved it, but would have more fully 
electrified the world than he did and have been its idol 
as a military genius and hero for all time. 

He or Grant would never have used such woefully 
poor judgment as to have assaulted an army equally 
as valiant, splendidly posted, fully as large, if not 
larger than their own, across an open, level space 
without cover quite a mile in extent, as Lee did at 



198 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Gettysburg on July 3, 1864. If that act showed abil- 
ity, good judgment, or a military genius, then I am 
lacking in mature sound judgment, and my lifetime 
of military training, including my three years and 
threescore battles or more in the Civil War and in 
Indian wars, has been in vain. This would be equally 
true even though the armies had been equal in num- 
bers. General Longstreet's suggestion to Lee to place 
his army on General Meade's flank between him and 
Washington would have been a splendid substitute 
for Pickett's forlorn charge.* It was abler and just 
what Grant did with Lee hardly a year later, success- 
fully and repeatedly and forced Lee back to Rich- 
mond and Petersburg, as the world now knows, which 
indicates superior generalship both on Grant's part 
as well as Longstreet's. 

Would either Grant or Sheridan have lost their 
cavalry for several days, as Lee did, when on such 
a campaign in an enemy's country or anywhere else ?t 
Would either, with three such splendid cavalry di- 
visions as Meade, not have used a part of one division 
if necessary to have patrolled barely seventy-five miles 
between York, Pa., or the Susquehanna, and the Po- 
tomac river, in order to detect any movement by the 
enemy on Washington? Would this have made the 
Union Commander, whoever he might have been, 
timid about moving to any point where battle was 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 29-30. 
tSee Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," p. 12. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 199 



offered, fearing a fake attack by Lee in order to 
cover a movement on Washington or Baltimore ? One 
brigade would have established a line of patrol posts 
less than a quarter of a mile apart of six men each, 
which would have detected at once any movement 
south by Lee, or if preferred, posts one-eighth of a 
mile apart of three men each. 

Would Grant or Sheridan have remained so near 
a great battle as at Gettysburg, July i, 18647 and not 
have furnished an opportunity for another soul-stir- 
ring poem like "Sheridan's Ride"? When they were 
informed that the enemy had attacked their forces 
barely three hours' ride away, would they have loit- 
ered a whole day away like dullards, as both army 
commanders did at Gettysburg?* Aye! either would 
have made the ride in two hours or even less, and 
even though their steeds were as black as night, on 
their arrival at Gettysburg they would have been as 
white as snow or as foam could have made them ; 
and, still better, they would not only have known, too, 
through their cavalry, spies, etc., for we were at home 
among friends, where Lee's army corps were, but 
when each broke camp to concentrate at Gettysburg, 
and their own corps close by them would have been 
there in season to have met the enemy in at least equal 
numbers, instead of being outnumbered all day July 
I, two to one, as was the case.f If necessary, too, 
as at Opequan Creek, Sept. 19, 1864, the different 

♦See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 16-17. 
tSee Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 19-33. 



200 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

corps would have marched at 2 o'clock instead of 8 
o'clock A. M. or even earlier if thought necessary. 

Was there any excuse for the Confederates not 
driving the Union forces from the field in a rout on 
July first? They would have done so, too, except 
that their forces were fought in detail, its reserves 
not even being brought into action when needed.* 
Did Ewell take the best advantage of his opportuni- 
ties ? The enemy outnumbered us quite two to one the 
first day from first to last after the battle commenced, 
but still at the first dash of two brigades of our In- 
fantry — Wadsworth's Division — against two brigades 
of the enemy, when Reynolds was killed, we placed 
hors de combat over half of each of their brigades 
and captured Archer, a brigade commander; and still 
the enemy had two brigades in immediate reserve as 
support, but they were not used.f This is what I 
call fighting an army in detail, a total waste of ma- 
terial. In case Sheridan hadn't thrown his support 
or reserve — Russell's division — into the fight at the 
right moment at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, his 
results would have been equally as ignominious as 
his victory was brilliant, because he did use his re- 
serve correctly on that occasion ; and so it would have 
been with the enemy at Gettysburg had it used its 
reserve. It would probably have captured many of 
our men and driven the balance of them from the 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 19-33. 
tSee Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 19-33. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 201 

field in a rout, as Sheridan did Early at Winchester, 
Sept. 19, 1864; there was nothing to prevent it. 

Does Lee deserve being classed among the greatest 
field marshals of modern times for such field mar- 
shalship as was displayed at the first day's fighting 
at Gettysburg? But, says the incompetent critic who 
forms his conclusions from gush, policy, favoritism, 
sentiment, or weakly otherwise, instead of for the 
sake of truth and correct history, Lee wasn't there ! 
Aye ! but wasn't it an alert Commander's — a genius's 
— business to have been there? What was he in 
Pennsylvania for or selected and paid for handling 
such an important matter to the Confederacy for? 
Who gave the order to concentrate for battle at Get- 
tysburg but he?* Does not every experienced sol- 
dier know that under such circumstances no one can 
tell exactly at what moment a battle will commence? 
And would not an alert, sagacious commander have 
made a forced night ride in order to have been with 
the first of his forces on the field? Lee knczv he was 
going to fight if the enemy would fight him, but Meade 
didn't ; hence Lee knew exactly what to do.f A great 
field marshal would have been more alert — on hand — 
it seems to me. 

Lee commanded in person the second day at Gettys- 
burg, and not only failed to attack early in the morn- 
ing, when he should, but, as usual, when he did, 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," p. 57. 
tSee Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 52-3. 



202 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

fought his army in detail using Longstreet's corps 
largely against two of our corps in turn which, being 
overwhelmed by numbers, and Meade failing to rein- 
force them, as he should or not have sent them where 
he did, they were of course forced back to their prop- 
er positions onto the correct line of battle beyond 
which they should never have been advanced, and 
with a sagacious, alert, competent commander would 
not have been except the whole army advanced to- 
gether in a general assault which it should have done 
anyway after Wright's brigade was repulsed.* 

From first to last in the battle of Gettysburg, I 
fail to see anything to commend on the enemy's part 
in any of its generals except in Longstreet ; nor on 
the Union side so far as Meade was concerned, but 
do in many others, and especially Buford, Reynolds, 
Doubleday and Howard, each of whom in turn suc- 
cessively commanded our forces in the order mention- 
ed without being routed, against great odds under ex- 
ceedingly trying circumstances owing to Meade's 
failure apparently, to fully grasp the situation four- 
teen miles away. It shows what splendid fighters 
Buford, Reynolds, Doubleday and Howard's men 
were to stand off double their number for an entire 
day, with what help they got from Schurz's men. 

That Lee did not grasp the situation is evident or 
else he would have assaulted our lines early on the 
morning of July second before Meade's forces arrived 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 34-45. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 203 

on the field. It is said he did give the order to do 
so, but if he had been a great miHtary genius wouldn't 
he have seen that it was done? Instead of this ow- 
ing largely probably, to Meade's lack of alertness 
and enterprise, Lee from lack of sagacity became ap- 
parently dizzy and unbalanced, as was most of his 
command, because of his apparently misunderstood 
partial successes, of the first and second days' fights, 
and was so criminally lacking in good judgment on 
the third day as to be led into the mistake of ordering 
Pickett's charge which, for obvious reasons, could on- 
ly result in calamity to the Southern cause."^' This 
even an amateur soldier of ordinary judgment should 
have been able to have foreseen. 

My sympathy in a military and every other sense so 
far as the enemy is concerned, goes out to Longstreet 
sitting on the fence with bowed head, a picture of 
despair and blasted hopes probably not only on ac- 
count of a useless slaughter of his brave men which 
he foresaw, but because of a loss of faith in the abil- 
ity of his chief and in consequence the loss eventually 
of the cause of the Confederacy; and what thought- 
ful military man of experience can't see what else for 
scapegoats are always found for such occasions on 
which to try and lay the blame. But it won't do with 
ripe scientific military men nor would it with Lee 
were he living, for when too late he doubtless saw his 
mistake, as he acknowledged like the man he alzvays 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 34-45. 



204 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

was to his veterans, when returning from the slaught- 
er after the assault that the calamity of defeat was all 
his fault.* How pathetic! 

Longstreet's heart was doubtless breaking when 
Pickett seemingly too thoughtless to comprehend the 
situation rode up to Longstreet and then "gaily" to 
his command in the midst of the artillery fire preced- 
ing the assault, and asked if he should commence the 
charge.f Longstreet's heart and tongue were doubt- 
less as good as paralyzed or at any rate refused to 
perform their function, and he answered with a sad 
and silent nod. 

How any military student of age and extended ex- 
perience in warfare — for few others are expert judges 
— who ever studied the country north of the Poto- 
mac river, field and battle of Gettysburg or Antie- 
tam, can class Lee with Marlborough and Welling- 
ton, it is difficult to understand; and Lee's mistakes 
here were by no means his only. He never found his 
superior, though, on the battlefield until he met Grant 
when, for the first time, he found a genius who didn't 
know what it was to retreat before the Army 
of Northern Virginia, nor did Lee ever ad- 
vance again but to be checkmated. Prior to that 
the Army of the Potomac had taken care of itself 
single-handed — so to speak — as it would have done 
anywhere after 1862, if placed in line and told to 



*See Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln," pp. 19-33. 
tSee Burrage, "Gettysburg and Lincoln,'' pp. 19-65. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 205 

fight, if let alone: it would have carried any man at 
its head through to victory, as it did Meade at Gettys- 
burg, and especially in such a place as that when so 
much depended upon it. 

It was the intrepid men with the guns, many of 
whom were more competent in battle than some of 
their officers, who largely won the battles, and not un- 
frequently because of greater physical endurance and 
undaunted courage led in the hottest places by scores 
in all assaults, for otherwise but few battles would 
have been won. To be in such company was an in- 
spiration for such men knew no fear and they were 
not reckless either, but coolly alert in taking every 
advantage of surroundings and conditions, as well 
as of the enemy. Such needed no officer to lead 
them, but they would be devoted to one who had the 
pluck to go with them, and fortunate was he who was 
strong enough to put fear behind him and do it. It 
is more elevating morally to be born with such a gift 
than rich. 

Anyone who has read Lincoln's telegrams and let- 
ters to Meade imploring him not to let Lee escape 
across the Potomac after Pickett's suicidal charge 
which is only exceeded in American War history in 
lack of ability by Abercrombie's maladministration of 
his Ticonderoga campaign in the Colonial war in 1758. 
cannot possibly think Grant or Sheridan would have 
showed so little military genius ; and it is a disappoint- 
ment to one in mature years who fought continually 



206 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

under Meade in youth about two years to find that he 
was so lacking- in sagacity and miHtary enterprise as 
to not take advantage of his great opportunities. He 
was all right when a subordinate, but out of place as 
chief. 

It was largely lack of ability on the part of com- 
manders of the Army of the Potomac as military men 
until Lee met Grant, which in contrast makes Lee ap- 
pear to some unread in civil war history so much 
more brilliant than he really was as a military man. 
It was very generally supposed during the war it was 
interference from Washington that caused a lack of 
success on the part of the Army of the Potomac, but 
official correspondence between Lincoln and others 
at Washington with the different commanders of the 
Army of the Potomac published since the Civil War 
shows that it was largely due to their downright ig- 
norance of how to conduct a campaign until Grant 
took command, which rendered it absolutely neces- 
sary to interfere. To a man of long expert military 
training some of the questions asked by commanders 
of Lincoln and others, are astonishing. They not 
only show a lack of judgment, self reliance and ability, 
but in some cases utter incompetency ; and when such 
didn't asked to be relieved from force of circum- 
stances, they had to be. In most cases it was disin- 
genuously claimed by the incumbent that they were 
handicapped by the Washington authorities, which is 
probably what largely created the false impression 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 207 

that they were much imposed upon. The govern- 
ment doubtless considerately thought it could not af- 
ford to let the truth be known for obvious reasons, 
and besides it was doubtless thought such men might 
be efficient in a less responsible position in cases of 
emergency and their usefulness would be impaired 
if the real facts were made known ; hence the posi- 
tion of Lincoln and others near to him in Washing- 
ton in such a respect was not only a noble self sacri- 
fice, but must have been even more trying than at any 
time or even now generally known. Under such cir- 
cumstances any ordinary commander of the Confed- 
erate Army would appear to good advantage as Lee 
did, which, to any but one who is expert, is mislead- 
ing. He had military talent but it even was never 
fully developed. His was not Genius : 
"Genius spreads its wings 
And soars beyond itself, or selfish things. 
Talent has need of stepping-stones; some cross, 
Some cheated purpose, some great pain or loss, 
Must lay the groundwork, and arouse ambition. 
Before it labors onward to fruition." 

But Lee never in war arose to such sublime heights 
if indeed ever in a military sense. 

Even Longstreet's Chief of Artillery, General Alex- 
ander, a man of splendid sense and judgment, in his 
"Military Memoirs of a Confederate," holds that the 
real crisis of the War did not occur until Grant's 
movement against Petersburg, which is correct, and 
that his strategy^ in that campaign was well planned 



208 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

and successfully executed. He acknowledges that 
Grant completely outmanoeuvered Lee for the last 
three days during the Petersburg movement, thus sav- 
ing his army from attack by the combined forces of 
Lee and Beauregard, which is also correct. Imagine 
Lee's disappointment when he found out what had 
been going on after Grant had crossed the James 
river ! It completely checkmated him, even his last 
kick — Early's Shenandoah Valley campaign — prov- 
ing worse than a failure it so weakened Lee's army. 
Think you Lee then thought himself a greater field 
marshal than Grant? Or after being contiaually 
flanked by him from the Rapidan to Petersburg and 
later to Appomattox where his surrender occurred? 

In bringing up this matter at this opportune time 
when contrasts can be sharply and tellingly drawn as 
at Winchester and Gettysburg, my purpose has not 
been to disparage anyone unfairly, but to get at the 
truth as I see it for the sake of true history. So long 
a time has elapsed since the war that I look upon it 
and its actors dispassionately, and I can award praise 
or censure on either side whenever deserved with 
calmness and impartiality. Therefore if, as a veter- 
an, I have advanced any new ideas on a subject 
necessarily somewhat perplexing to the general pub- 
lic, at any period, my object in treating it will have 
been accomplished. 

Possibly there may be some excuse for such as did 
not fight in the Army of the Potomac three years 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 209 

and have not read the latest history on the Civil War 
and made it a study, erring- in their estimates of the 
leaders in that conflict. I always, even during the 
war, thought the South had abler men to command 
its army of Northern Virginia even in that army than 
Lee, but none more lovely in disposition and charac- 
ter. He was a good man and good but not a great 
general ; and, much less, in the same class with Marl- 
borough, Wellington, and others of modern wars, or 
Grant, Sheridan, and others of the Civil War, which 
facts prove. Any man who is a military expert 
familiar with the subject both from participation, his- 
tory and study, if of good judgment and honest, will 
readily concede this. Lee's distinguished lineage has 
nothing to do with his military history. He should 
be judged on his own merits in such a way, but his 
antecedents and charming personal character seem- 
ingly makes it difficult for most writers to place him 
in a military sense where he belongs. In my opinion, 
all things being equal, he was no match for Grant. 
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1864. 
My wounds were very painful during the night, 
my lips and face are terribly swollen and my jaws are 
in shocking condition, but I'm thankful it is no worse. 
My side and chest are very lame, but I hope it is 
nothing more serious than a bruise or contusion. 
Lieut. Hill has had his leg amputated, but I don't 
think he can live, the stump is so short — poor, brave, 
gallant, natty Hill with the most of life before him. 



210 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sheridan's loss was 5018 of which 4300 were killed 
and wounded. Early's loss was about the same. 
About 850 of his wounded fell into our hands. Our 
division lost 600 in killed and wounded and seventeen 
are missing, more than both of the other two divi- 
sions of our corps together. Our regiment lost twelve 
killed and forty-six wounded. Sheridan captured 
two thousand prisoners, five pieces of artillery and 
nine battle flags. Generals Rhodes and Godwin of 
Kershaw's Division were killed, and General York 
lost an arm. I saw Major Dillingham at a distance 
as he lay stricken, when I entered the hospital 
grounds yesterday. He was no shirk in battle but 
valiant. We feel like sparing him least of any, and 
had not looked for it, therefore it is a great shock. 
Only a moment before the order to advance he was 
talking with several officers near me and was in the 
best of spirits which, it occurred to me at the time, 
greatly contrasted with my feeling for I never dread- 
ed more to go into battle. I was greatly but silently 
depressed. 

We;dnesday, Sept. 21, 1864. 
I was moved up to Winchester yesterday with the 
rest of the wounded. The city is one vast hospital — 
in fact nearly every house is used to accommodate 
the wounded, and it was a smart place of about four 
thousand before the war, but now is one of about ten 
thousand, owing to this battle. Most of the wounded 
officers were left at Taylor's Hotel. The surgeons 




— -f ^ 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 211 

are very busy amputating limbs. It is said that there 
are over 1300 wounded in this hotel. My wounds 
are doing well considering but are very painful. Oh, 
what a horrible sight! I have seen piles of arms and 
legs today at the hospital thrown from the windows 
of operating rooms as big as haycocks. It's a shock- 
ing sight ! So many lying about dead, too ! It is 
rumored that we have again given Early battle and 
completely routed his forces capturing a large num- 
ber of prisoners, but this needs confirmation. 

Thursday, Sept. 22, 1864. 
Through the kindness of Chaplain Haynes who has 
been indefatigable in looking after the wounded, I 
have today engaged board in a private family, a 
Quaker lady — Mrs. Wright — the mother of the cele- 
brated Rebekah Wright, who sent Sheridan informa- 
tion of the enemy before the battle Sept. 19, by a 
colored man in a piece of tinfoil hid in his mouth, 
that Kershaw's division and twelve pieces of artillery 
had returned to Lee, and that the enemy wasn't as 
strong as supposed. She has a schoolroom at home 
here, is a teacher, and very solicitous for our wounded 
—a modest, sensible, interesting lady. They are very 
nice people, and exceedingly kind. My wound is 
healing rapidly, and the swelling has disappeared fast 
within the last twenty-four hours, but I can't speak 
or eat, taking gruel through a tube only, and my jaws 
are paining me. Lieut. Hill is doing well, and may 
get well, but the test will come in a day or so. It's 



212 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

rumored that we've again whipped the enemy but I 
doubt it ; weather fine. My wounds are very stiff 
this evening. 

Friday, Sept. 23, 1864. 

Well, I must confess that a good soft pillow is more 
comfortable for one to rest a sore head on than an 
oak log; rested very well last night considering the 
condition of my mouth. Mrs. Wright is very kind. 
I wish Lieut. Hill could be moved up here. A long 
army train loaded with wounded started for Harper's 
Ferry early this morning, also about 1500 prisoners. 
Captain Goodrich and Lieut. H. W. Kingsley of the 
Brigade staff called to see me to-day. My wound is 
improving. I went with Rebeckah Wright and an- 
other young Union lady — very pretty — to see Lieut. 
D. G. Hill this forenoon. He is very gallant to 
ladies, always, and seemed cheerful, but I think the 
poor fellow assumes it. He is a patient sufferer. I 
have to be for I can't utter a word; am termed the 
interesting patient by the ladies, and get lots of sym- 
pathy. 

Saturday, Sept. 24, 1864. 

I am expecting to go to Harper's Ferry ; reported 
to the Surgeon in charge this morning as directed, 
but the train hasn't come from the front yet, therefore 
I shan't probably get off today. My wound has been 
very painful this afternoon — jin fact more painful 
than it's ever been yet. The Eighty-seventh Pennsyl- 
vania went through the city this afternoon en route 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 213 

for home. Well, let them go, they are deserving of 
such joy! It's a good regiment. My wound has 
gotten very sore and painful and don't give me a mo- 
ment's peace. My system is beginning to feel the 
strain, too, and my tongue seems paralyzed yet. I 
can't utter a word. At any rate I'm not noisy com- 
pany for anyone — not even the ladies here who are 
very sympathetic. 

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1864. 
I did not sleep much last night my wounds were so 
very painful. I removed some of the old fractures or 
splinters of the teeth and jaws that were left, about 3 
o'clock a. m. with my fingers, and after that my face 
was easier and I rested some. I started in a private 
wagon from Winchester at 11 o'clock a. m. for Har- 
per's Ferry, and at dark was still on the road near 
Charlestown very tired; had no scares from guerril- 
las ; am beginning to feel weak, having eaten nothing 
solid since I was wounded, but I was pretty vigorous. 
The shock to my system has been greater than I was 
aware of, now that the excitement is over. 

Monday, Sept. 26, 1864. 
Tonight finds me in the hotel at Harper's Ferry 
waiting for my leave of absence which I expect to- 
morrow ; arrived last night at 10 o'clock tired and 
lame, but not discouraged although my mouth was 
sore and painful. The swelling has largely gone, and 
I can eat a little quite comfortably if the food is soft, 
but I couldn't if I wasn't nearly famished. Major 



214 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Goddard — our paymaster — paid me today. I expect- 
ed to have to go to Washington. 

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1864. 
O, what a delightful morning! And the scenery 
here about Harper's Ferry is so grand that it makes it 
all the more enjoyable. Of course, I awoke in fine 
spirits for how could I help it ? I thought I was to 
start for home at i o'clock p. m. but on going to the 
hospital, I found that my leave had not been sent over 
for approval therefore I can't go until tomorrow. 
The wagon train has started for the front again. I 
am sure I shall start for Vermont tomorrow. Some- 
times I almost think it would be a good thing if some 
of the Adjutants General could be wounded, too, per- 
haps they would see to it then that wounded men's 
applications for leave to go home were not delayed. 

Wednesday, Sept, 28, 1864. 
It has been an anxious morning for me ; went over 
to Sandy Hook and waited until 11 o'clock a. m, 
when the clerk handed me my leave, and I must say, 
I felt like a new man. I hurried back to Harper's 
Ferry and found Mr. Hicks there in search of his 
brother Lieut. John Hicks of my regiment, who was 
wounded in the thigh at Fisher's Hill. I waited un- 
til 4 o'clock p, m. and took the cars for Baltimore, 
but the train was delayed and it did not arrive there 
till 2 o'clock a. m. Sept. 29. 




rlistic and realistic liron/.c statue <it" a young 

campaign costume, erected by ilassacliusetls in 

tional Cemetery at Winchester. Va.. to its patriot dead 

there. This cemetery 'is one of the prettiest and best kept outside 

of Washington, i >. ('. 



Union soldi 
the -Nat 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 215 



Thursday. Sept. 29, 1864. 
Stopped at the Eutaw House last night; arose at 6 
o'clock a. m. from necessity and went shopping; 
got breakfast at 8.30 o'clock a. m. and took the cars 
for New York City ; arrived at the Astor House, New 
York, about 8 o'clock p. m. ; looks like rain; city 
much excited ; good news from Grant, 

Friday, Sept. 30, 1864. 
I intended to have taken the 7 o'clock a. m. train, 
but overslept; left on the 10.30 o'clock a. m. train 
up the Hudson river. The scenery is the most beau- 
tiful I have ever seen; arrived at Albany about sun- 
down; changed cars at Troy for Rutland; arrived 
there at 9 o'clock p. m. Ed. Russell has been with 
me today. 

Saturday, Oct. i, 1864. 
Stayed in Rutland last night ; took the 4 o'clock a. 
m. train for Burlington, but to my disgust found it 
to be a freight; arrived at Burlington at noon; took 
the I o'clock p. m. train for Montpelier ; arrived there 
at 4 o'clock p. m. ; stopped at Burnham's Hotel; 
found Carl Wilson; hasn't changed much in three 
years nor Montpelier; think a boil is coming on my 
ankle ; am half sick. 

Sunday, Oct. 2, 1864. 
Am in good old Vermont at last, if I have got a 
boil coming. Major Dillingham's remains arrived 
in Waterbury last night, and the funeral services 



216 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

have been today, but it has rained hard all day. I 
am not able to be out. Carl Wilson and Frank 
French called to see me today. My boil is very pain- 
ful ; have not been out of the house ; would like to 
have gone to Major Dillingham's funeral but can't 
get about till my boil breaks on my ankle. I'm ill, 
too. 

Monday, Oct. 3, 1864. 
Cloudy and foggy; have taken cold in my face; 
ankle worse today, too ; have not been outdoors. 
Orry Blanchard has been in to see me ; saw Mr. Wal- 
ters in the barroom, also Mr. Hanson, but did not know 
the former. Sergeant Hogle has called. My wound 
is paining me more than usual tonight; jaws in bad 
condition ; hope the fractures will heal all right. I 
thought the Johnnies had shot my whole chin off at 
first ; it was paralyzed a long time, and don't feel 
right yet; it must be the jaw. 

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1864. 
Cloudy and gloomy; have been up to Carl's drug 
store, but found it rather difficult walking; am not 
feeling very well ; went up to Carl's again this after- 
noon for pills ; remained on the bed all afternoon ; 
didn't go down to tea ; Carl Wilson called this after- 
noon ; wound pains me very badly tonight. 

Weidnesday, Oct. 5, 1864. 
Somewhat better. Mrs. George Watson called to 
see me yesterday evening, but I was unable to receive 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 217 

lady callers, although I did not know it was her; 
went up to the office this afternoon ; found Jo Watson 
and took a stroll up to the State House ; getting it 
ready for the Legislature ; am going to Williamstown 
in the morning. 

Thursday, Oct. 6, 1864. 
Am feeling very much better this morning; very 
foggy till about 9 o'clock a. m. when the sun came 
out brightly ; got a team about 10 o'clock a. m. and 
Jo Watson took me to James Burnham's place in Wil- 
liamstown ; arrived at Barre about noon ; called at 
Mrs. David Mower's ; no one there but Hattie Glover ; 
did not get out ; arrived at James' at 3 o'clock p. m. ; 
all well ; took them by surprise. 

Friday, Oct. 7, 1864. 

Well, it seems good to get out in the country 
among relatives, where it's quiet; my wound is worse 
than I thought it would be. My teeth and jaws are 
feeling very badly and my lip looks irritated. Ezra 
and Ro Benedict have been up to see me today. Ro 
has got some beautiful little children. James has 
gone to Bradford to the fair. 

Saturday, Oct, 8, 1864. 

Rained all forenoon; gloomy day, but have passed 
the time pleasantly; am reading Aurora Floyd, but 
like East Lynne, better; pleasant but show^ery. James 
commenced reading East Lynne this evening; mouth 
gaining rapidly. 



218 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sunday, Oct. 9, 1864. 
Gloomy morning; am feeling better. Ryland Sea- 
ver has been down to see me this morning. Andrew 
Burnham and wife also called this afternoon; think 
they are looking a little worn; marriage without 
means is evidently not a bed of roses even for vig- 
orous people on a country hillside farm. Rodney 
Seaver has also been in to see me, too; has married 
since I've been in the army. He is another good 
man, but Ryle and I have always been firm friends 
and always shall be. The three Seaver brothers are 
straight, reliable, splendid men. 

Monday, Oct. 10, 1864. 

A cold night for the season ; froze quite hard ; snow 
on the ground this morning; don't seem much like 
Virginia climate; weather much moderated tonight; 
looks like southern storm. Alma Seaver has been in 
to see me this afternoon. My mouth wound is near- 
ly healed externally, but it is very stiff, awkward and 
clumsy; don't feel right — the jaws ache; cooler to- 
night. 

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 1864. 

Northwest wind; fair, comfortable day. James 
has gone to John Pane's auction ; have been down to 
Washington village this evening with Jim ; called to 
see his eldest sister — Mrs. Pepper; finished reading 
Aurora Floyd this afternoon ; expect Pert this even- 
ing ; beautiful night ; not much thrilling diary data 
out here on this peaceful hillside Vermont farm. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 219 

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1864. 
Rather a gloomy morning-; stormed till about 9 
o'clock a. m. then cleared off, but snowed this after- 
noon ; wrote Dr. Clark. Pert didn't come ; very dull. 

Thursday, Oct. 13, 1864. 
Snowed all day; seems quiet after such an excit- 
ing life in the army. Mr. Lyman Drury brought 
Pert down this evening. Byron Bradley writes that 
Uncle Pierce and Cousin Abby are somewhere in the 
East. My face wound troubles me tonight and I 
guess always will by spells. 

Friday, Oct. 14, 1864. 
Well, I wonder if winter's come! It has rained 
and snowed all day; face badly swollen today, but 
my jaws don't ache much for which I'm thankful; 
shall go down to Aunt Polly Howe's to-morrow if it 
don't storm. It's snowing tonight. 

Saturday, Oct. 15, 1864. 
It snowed nearly all the forenoon. In the after- 
noon it was quite comfortable ; thawed considerable, 
but night still finds the ground covered with snow. 
My teeth and jaws have troubled me constantly, but 
I feel more comfortable this evening ; shall go down 
to Aunt Howe's in the morning. Oh, dear ! I shall 
be glad when I get so that I can feel like other folks. 
It is still thawing this evening. 



220 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sunday, Oct. 16, 1864. 
Ryland came down to see me early this morning. 
Fernando Thompson brought me some letters; got 
one from Dr. J. H. Jones ; friends in Chelsea all well ; 
am at Uncle Howe's to-night; Jim brought us down 
this forenoon ; no one home but Uncle Howe ; no 
change in Williamstown ; terribly quiet. 

Monday, Oct. 17, 1864. 
Went over to see Cousin George Simons last even- 
ing, who is in poor health, as well as Cousin Martha. 
Aunt Sarah is usually well ; weather fair. Aunt 
Polly Howe seems depressed ; expect she's anxious 
about me; arrived at Mr. David Mower's this even- 
ing; came down in Mr. Snow's crowded stage very 
uncomfortably. 

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1864. 
Cloudy with wind ; have been to Montpelier with 
Mrs. David Mower and Cousin Pert ; had a good time ; 
dined with the Watsons; visited several Tenth Ver- 
mont men in the afternoon at the hospital ; got my 
dress coat and overcoat at Woolson's ; got home about 
dark ; rather cold tonight. 

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1864. 
Cloudy, dismal day; took Cousin Pert and Hattie 
Glover out to Cousin David Smith's in the afternoon, 
and visited at Ann Martin's in the evening; returned 
to David's for the night ; very dark with blinding rain 
and snow, but got home safe ; have enjoyed the day. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 221 



Thursday, Oct. 20, 1864. 

Weather cloudy and gloomy ; started about 9 o'clock 
a. m. to take Hattie Glover home, then took Pert to 
call on Phineas Thompson's family, and then in the 
afternoon we went to John Wilson's. It's always a 
pleasure to see Mr. and Mrs. Wilson though a sad 
duty since Em and the other children died. Pert and 
I called on Helen Thompson, and I in the evening on 
Mrs. Oromal Dodge. Coming home our wheel set 
over which we had quite a frolic, but we arrived safe- 
ly- ' . 

Friday, Oct. 21, 1864. 

It has seemed a long day ; have been in the village 
all day ; called on Charley French ; wound fairly easy 
today. Pert, Hattie Glover and I went up to the 
Academy Lyceum this evening ; students much young- 
er than before the war; probably older boys in the 
army ; dark and gloomy to-night. 

Saturday, Oct. 22, 1864. 
Quite a fine day. James Burnham came down 
after Pert this morning. Cousin Hattie Burnham is 
ill with diphtheria. I called on Mr. and Mrs. Bliss 
this forenoon; am to stay at Nate Harrington's to- 
night. Carl Wilson came up from Montpelier about 
8 o'clock p. m. Several of the girls came in in the 
evening and we had a pleasant time. 



222 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Sunday, Oct. 23, 1864. 
Went with Carl up to his father's this morning; 
intended to go to church this afternoon, but didn't 
get dinner in season ; had a good visit with Mr. and 
Mrs. John Wilson. Herbert and Laura Leonard, old 
schoolmates, called ; have grown greatly ; was glad to 
see them. Carl and I stopped at David Mower's in 
the afternoon. 

Monday, Oct. 24, 1864. 
Pert, Hattie Glover and I started for Montpelier 
en route for Burlington this morning at 6 o'clock in 
a crowded stage. They were on a frolic ; had a half 
dozen bandboxes in the front hall they pretended had 
got to go, because they knew I objected to traveling 
with such. We had some backwoods passengers 
which amused the girls greatly; arrived in Mont- 
pelier at 9 o'clock a. m. ; shopped some and took the 
II o'clock a. m. train for Burlington. Fred Johon- 
nott met us at the depot, who is engaged to Hattie, 
and took us to the Stanton House ; saw Hidden Hand 
played at the theatre in the evening. 

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1864. 
Went to see Dr. Thayer about getting my leave 
extended about 10 o'clock a. m. ; found him at his 
house but cranky; would not, to my surprise, give me 
a certificate for extension of leave. My wound is 
not yet fully healed, the stitches are still in, it's sen- 
sitive, inflamed and sore, can't eat solid food, am not 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 223 

fit to go to the front, and I'm no malingerer either. 
It would teach Dr. Thayer something to get in a hot 
fight and be wounded. I never did like bandbox 
doctors, anyway! I'm afraid the board of surgeons 
at Annapolis, Md. will discharge me for they are 
practical men. I'm disgusted with Thayer! All I 
need is a reasonable time for my wound to mend. A 
man with a part of his head shot away ean't be ex- 
pected to be fit for duty a month after. If I shirked 
battle, I suppose Thayer would extend my sick leave ! 
That's the way such things usually go ! Merit don't 
count though, with testy doctors if approached too 
soon after breakfast. If I were a toady in manner or 
reality, I suppose I could get anything, but I'm only 
a plain, presentable, unassuming country lad while 
Thayer impresses me as an aristocrat. Ed. Russell 
has taken me to ride about Burlington, a very pretty 
little city ; took the noon train for Montpelier ; shall 
go up and call professionally on Dr. James in the 
morning ; he'll give me a certificate. 

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1864. 
This has been the first pleasant day I've seen in 
Vermont since I came home ; met Captain P. D. Blod- 
get on the street ; was glad to see him for he is a nice, 
fair man. His wounded arm is looking very badly; 
do not think he will ever return to the regiment again. 
I went up to the hospital with him and he gave me an 
introduction to Dr. James who examined my wounds 
and gave me a certificate for thirty days extension of 



224 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

sick leave ; have been up to the State House this even- 
ing to hear Mrs. Chester read. 

Thursday, Oct. 27, 1864. 

It's not quite as pleasant this morning as yesterday ; 
had Dr. Forbush operate on my game jaws, teeth, etc., 
this forenoon ; took ether and I must say that I have 
no desire to ever take any more. The doctor tells me 
my upper jaw is very badly injured. I suspected it 
but hoped it might be the crushed teeth which gave 
me so much pain ; have been sick all the forenoon from 
the effects of the ether. When I came out from un- 
der its influence I was crying like a great booby, for 
just at that time I was living over my illness of ty- 
phoid fever when I was reported dead at Rockville, 
Md. in the winter of 1862-63, and I thought I was 
all alone among strangers. It was more real, though, 
as I was delirious at Rockville, and don't recall any 
such genuine anguish as I was experiencing when I 
awoke from the effects of ether. To awake from such 
hallucinations to the realities of life comparatively 
well was a remarkable experience ; it dazed me for a 
moment on coming back to the world, but I rallied 
soon on looking at the doctor and Pert and saw them 
relievedly smiling at my surprised look and manner. 
I went to a band concert tonight, and stayed with Carl 
Wilson. 

Friday, Oct. 28, 1864. 

I did not get up till 10 o'clock a. m. ; am feeling 
some better this morning ; rained hard all day. Roger 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 225 

Bixby brought me up to Barre this afternoon. The 
Smith band came up to give a concert but as it rained 
so hard it postponed it till next week. 

Saturday, Oct. 29, 1864. 
Fair day. The Smith band came up and gave a 
serenade this forenoon ; have had a pleasant time at 
Mr. West's. News came today that Captain L. D. 
Thompson of Waterbury was decapitated by a solid 
shot in battle at Cedar Creek, Va., and that Adju- 
tant Wyllys Lyman, Captain C. F. Nye, Lieuts. G. E. 
Davis, G. P. Welch, A. W. Fuller and B. B. Clark 
were also wounded there. We have had seven of- 
ficers killed, twelve wounded and two captured since 
the first of June, making twenty-one in all, the regi- 
ment's full quota not including non-combatants, were 
they all present which is never the case, being thirty- 
four. Who will say we haven't stood up to the rack? 
I guess they intend to kill us all off — men and all ! I 
may not have included all the casualties among the 
officers in the foregoing. Poor Dillingham, Stetson 
and Thompson! They were my original officers in 
Company B— all gone— killed in battle. They were 
good fellows — intrepid and valiant to a fault. Lieut. 
Stetson was a considerate, kindly friend, and a man 
who was fair and manly, and never took a mean, un- 
fair advantage of anyone so far as I know; he won 
my esteem. I became fond of Captain Thompson ; he 
grew on me constantly until we were good friends, 
and the manner of his unfortunate death shocks me. 



226 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Poor fellow ! I sincerely regret his tragic end ; lie 
was brave, always genial, obliging and friendly. 
They grew to like, respect and esteem me, and I have 
lost three staunch friends — probably among the best 
in the regiment with the officers. They have all been 
martyrs to the cause of the Union. May their souls 
go marching on and finally welcome mine in eternity! 

Sunday, Oct. 30, 1864. 
A beautiful day ; have been to church twice. Mr. 
Bliss preached two excellent sermons. He always 
preaches well ; is a remarkably gifted, brainy, interest- 
ing speaker from the pulpit. Dr. Carpenter's funeral 
was this afternoon from the Congregational Church. 
Mr. Beckley's funeral services were attended this af- 
ternoon from the M. E. Church; beautiful evening; 
have been up to the cemetery with Mr. and Mrs. 
]\Iower. 

Monday, Oct. 31, 1864. 

Stormed this forenoon; went up to see Nate and 
Ardelia Harrington and remained all night; called on 
Mrs. Patterson and Mr. Hiram Blanchard's family. 
Captain L. D. Thompson's remains arrived at Water- 
bury this evening ; funeral tomorrow ; cold tonight ; 
army news good this evening. 

Tuesday, Nov. i, 1864. 

Mrs. Charles Scott, Ardelia Harrington and Cousin 
Pert have gone to Montpelier. I came by stage to 
Chelsea and am with Dr. J. H. Jones tonight; left So. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 227 

Barre at 11.30 o'clock a. m. ; rode to Tunbridge 
with the doctor to visit a young lady ill with typhoid 
fever this evening. 

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1864. 
Cool and pleasant this morning. Dr. Jones has 
gone to Tunbridge ; have spent the day with Dr. 
Bagley's family; shall remain here over night; called 
on Mrs. Hayward and her daughter, Susan, this even- 
ing. 

Thursday, Nov. 3, 1864. 
It's a lovely morning; went to Tunbridge with Dr. 
Jones; fine evening; am to stay at Mr. Isaac Mer- 
rill's tonight. 

Friday, Nov. 4, 1864. 
Has rained hard all day. Ike's a little off on the 
war ; went to the village about 4 o'clock p. m. ; called 
on Mrs. Lyman Hinkley, am at Mrs. Hayward's to- 
night. 

Saturday, Nov. 5, 1864. 
Have been to see Jo Watson to-day; weather cold 
and blustering all day; am with Dr. J. H. Jones to- 
night; he's visiting a patient; am alone. 

Sunday, Nov. 6, 1864. 
Left Chelsea at 10 o'clock a. m. for Barre; Jo 
Watson brought me over; attended church this af- 
ternoon, heard an excellent sermon by Rev. F. S. 
Bliss ; called on Mrs. Or'omal Dodge this evening. 



228 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Monday, Nov. 7, 1864. 
Took the 7 o'clock a, m. stage for Montpelier, and 
thence by 11 o'clock a. m. train to Vergennes to see 
Levi Meader, my old roommate at Barre Academy, 
Mr. F. E. Woodbridge's law partner ; am not im- 
pressed with the cordiality of Mr. Woodbridge ; met 
him on the train en route. 

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1864. 
It has rained all day. Well, this is a great day in 
the States ! Probably more depends on what it brings 
forth than any since Washington's time. As for my- 
self, though, I have no fear but what all will come 
out right ; am still in Vergennes, and have voted for 
Abraham Lincoln — my first vote. The city's vote is 
as follows: 

Lincoln 310 

McClellan 15 

Good ! This is as it should be. 

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1864. 
Was shown the city by Meader today. Hon. F. E. 
Woodbridge, who is a representative in Congress, re- 
turned home from Washington last night. He is 
Meader's law partner ; was introduced this morning ; 
took the train for Williston, Vt. at ii o'clock a. m. 
but being express didn't stop ; arrived in Montpelier 
at 4 o'clock p. m. ; shall stay here tonight ; went to 
the theatre this evening. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 229 

Thursday, Nov. 10, 1864. 

A gloomy, lonely day ; visited the State House this 
afternoon ; if in condition would like to return to the 
front ; am at Burnham's Hotel ; have been to the 
theatre; fine evening. 

Friday, Nov. 11, 1864. 

Fair day ; arrived in Barre by 7 o'clock p. m. stage ; 
took my first degree in masonry to-night. Webber 
Tilden did the work. 

Saturday, Nov. 12, 1864. 

A cold bleak day ; went up to James Burnham's with 
Banny West this forenoon; took her and Cousin Pert 
and called on the Calefs and Alma Watson at Wash- 
ington ; returned to and stayed at James' ; Ryle Seaver 
was there ; had company in the evening. 

Sunday, Nov. 13, 1864. 
Snowed this morning; there's about three inches 
of snow on the ground tonight; left James Burn- 
ham's at 9 o'clock a. m. in a snowstorm; arrived at 
Barre just in season for William Old's funeral; have 
attended the funeral this afternoon at the Universal- 
ist Church of Lester Tilden. Captain Albert Dodge 
called this afternoon; has stopped snowing. 

Monday, Nov. 14, 1864. 
The Academy examinations commenced today; at- 
tended morning prayers. Mr. J. S. Spaulding looks 
and is the same as ever; nice old gentleman; called 
at the Curriers this evening; were glad to see me; 



230 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

clever old people ; attended the examination of a 
class of youngsters in geography at the Academy. 

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1864. 
Attended the examination at the Academy of classes 
in mathematics to include geometry; nothing very 
exciting going on. 

Wednesday, Nov, 16, 1864. 

Have passed a pleasant day ; met James Abbott of 
Williamstown, Vt., this afternoon at the Academy; 
fine looking and a fine fellow, too ; closing exercises 
come off at the Academy this evening. Carl Wilson 
and Frank French called tonight. 

Thursday, Nov. 17, 1864. 
Am in Montpelier tonight. Mr. and Mrs. David 
Mower and Cousin Pert are here, too; have been to 
the dentist's to have an impression taken for my new 
teeth; am to have them in the morning; went to the 
theatre tonight with George and Mrs. Watson; saw 
the good play of East Lynne ; shall stay with them to- 
night ; very cold and much snow ; am getting worn- 
out with so much visiting. 

Friday, Nov. 18, 1864. 
Have had some photographs taken; went up to the 
State House this forenoon, and afternoon ; had a 
torchlight parade this evening ; village illuminated ; 
speeches by Governors Holbrook, Dillingham, etc. 
General Stannard present ; didn't get my teeth. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864, 231 

Saturday, Nov. 19, 1864. 
Cold with chilly north wind ; stayed at Burnham's 
Hotel last night ; hotel overcrowded ; had to room witli 
Mr. Orcutt of Roxbury; Captain Albert Dodge and 
wife and Louise Dodge in town ; went to the depot 
with Mr. Orcutt ; expect a visit from him in camp this 
winter ; went up to the hospital with some ladies ; ar- 
rived in Barre at 7 o'clock p. m. ; took two degrees in 
masonry ; am a Master Mason. 

Sunday, Nov. 20, 1864. 
Went to church this forenoon. Lester Hanson read 
a sermon, Mr. Bliss being in Woodstock, Vt. ; went to 
Henry Burnham's funeral, a victim of the Civil War, 
in the afternoon at Williamstown ; am at Uncle Howe's 
tonight; have called on Aunt Sarah Simons; weather 
threatening. 

Monday, Nov. 21, 1864. 
Not very cold ; about two inches of snow on the 
ground this morning; went with Cousin Pert to Cous- 
in David Smith's this forenoon, and then to Barre, 
arriving at Mr. David Mower's at 4 o'clock p. m. ; 
raining hard to-night; have been to a Masonic meet- 
ing; saw Mr. Jones initiated. 

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1864. 
Northwest wind, cold and cloudy, with snow to- 
night; went up to the old homestead this afternoon; 
called at Mr. Elijah Wheeler's, also at his sister 
Susan's; am at Jim Burnham's to-night with Ryle 



232 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Seaver ; shall both stay here. Aunt Thompson has 
gone over to Cousin David Smith's. 

Wednesday, Nov. 23. 1864. 

Pleasant and not very cold ; started for Cousin 
David's at 9 o'clock a. m. ; called at Mr. Flint's, at 
Rodney Seaver's and on Cousin Aurora Benedict ; 
found Cousin Abby Howe at Ro's, too ; took Thanks- 
giving dinner with Cousin Lois and David Smith's 
family, and went to Barre. Hattie Burnham is ill 
with diphtheria. 

Thursday, Nov. 24, 1864. 

Started for the front this morning at 6 o'clock, or 
rather for Annapolis, Md. Cousin Pert went as far 
as Bellows Falls with me ; arrived at Springfield, Mass. 
at 8 o'clock, p. m., at N. Y. City about midnight, and 
daylight found me between Philadelphia and Balti- 
more. 

Friday, Nov. 25, 1864. 
Arrived at Baltimore about 9 o'clock a. m. ; re- 
mained at the Eutaw House until 4.40 o'clock p. m. ; 
arrived at Annapolis at about 8 o'clock p. m. ; report- 
ed to the surgeon in charge at once who ordered me 
to report to the Board of Examiners tomorrow morn- 
ing; am in a room with two other officers. 

Saturday, Nov. 26, 1864. 
Reported at the Examiners' room at 9.30 o'clock a. 
m. ; was ordered to report at 9.30 o'clock a. m. Mon- 
day ; have been up town today ; very dilapidated look- 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 233 



ing place and dull ; hardly know what to do with my- 
self. Three more officers have been assigned to my 
room tonig-ht. There are quite a number of officers 
here from my Division. 

Sunday, Nov. 27, 1864. 

Warm and pleasant; nothing doing; have been 
lounging about and resting up; saw guard mounting 
this morning at the Marine Barracks and also at the 
post ; hope I shan't have to remain here long, it's so 
dull ; shall go to the front in the morning if they will 
let me. 

Monday, Nov. 28, 1864. 

Well, this has been an interesting day, a great sur- 
prise; have been treated with great consideration — 
like a prince— by the board, and I never saw one of 
them before, nor had they ever heard of me that I 
know of. They made my mouth wound of so much 
interest it embarrassed me; I felt as though I was 
being lionized. The board is composed of a General 
and several other elderly medical officers of rank and 
age. and they have the consideration and tact — un- 
like Dr. Thayer — to treat any wounded officer and 
especially one who fought with Sheridan at Win- 
chester, with distinguished respect. The first one who 
looked at my wound expressed great surprise at my 
"unusually interesting mouth wound," as he termed 
it. and called for the doctors in the adjoining rooms 
to come and see one of the most interesting of the 



234 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

many wounds that had come before the board. ■*" 
They all came, each in turn examining it, expressing 
great wonder, and asked many questions, indignantly 
inquiring why the Vermont doctors had sent me back 
to the front with jaws in a condition such as to render 
it impossible for me to chew solid food when it was 
known that hard bread and meats were the principal 
articles of food for troops in the field and with the 
stitches still in my lip and it not solidly healed. In 
reply I gave them my experience with Dr. Thayer of 
Burlington, Vt., and said I had not gone to the hos- 
pital several times during the war because of my pride 
and fear of inconsiderate treatment, although I had 
ought to have gone twice before when wounded, but 
feared I might be criticised if I did. They continued 
to examine the wound for some time expressing as- 
tonishment that it should have healed as much as it 
had so soon and would leave so little trace or scar 
externally in the end as it would, and highly compli- 
mented Dr. Rutherford who attended me. They 
finally drew aside for consultation, and when the 
examiner who had charge of the case returned and 
said that I could have my choice, take my discharge 
or return to the front, I was delighted, and chose the 



*This wound has since cost me several hundred dollars 
for skilled medical treatment, and will probably never 
cease to trouble me. It was one cause of my retirement 
from active service in the regular army. Two or three 
expert doctors have written it up for medical journals, ana 
one, Dr. Anderson of Washington, D. C, only recently for 
a New York medical journal. 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 235 

latter. He seemed surprised, and after hesitating a 
little looking steadily at me, said I had better con- 
sider the matter well ; but I told him I had, that I 
could soak my hard bread in water, fry it with salt 
pork which would make it both soft and nutritious, 
and that I could get along. Seeing that I really 
wanted to return, he let me go. I received my dis- 
charge from the hospital this afternoon, have got my 
transportation, and shall leave to-morrow at 2 o'clock 
p. m. Captain Mattison, a fine little fellow, left this 
afternoon. We are all in good spirits to-night. But 
the Annapolis board of surgeons were clever gentle- 
men. Their sympathy and consideration was unusual. 

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1864. 
Left Annapolis for Baltimore on the i o'clock p. 
m. train ; waited at Annapolis Junction an hour and 
arrived in Baltimore about dark ; am at the Eutaw 
House to-night ; no one here I know ; very dull ; shall 
start for the front to-morrow. 

We;dne;sday, Nov. 30, 1864. 
Took the 9 o'clock a. m. train for the west; lots of 
passengers going to the front; found a freight train 
off the track at ElHcott Mills, Md. ; was about two 
hours late at Harper's Ferry where I stop over night; 
shall take the first train to the front in the morning; 
no news ; very dull here. 



236 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Thursday, Dec. i, 1864. 

Well, I am a nine months' man! Good (?) I went 
into General Stevenson's headquarters and found the 
Tenth Vermont was at Petersburg. He ordered me 
to report to Col. Hunter commanding Camp Distri- 
bution at Harper's Ferry ; was ordered to take com- 
mand of the Twentieth Company, Sixth Corps — 
about 200 men ; have got to receipt for clothing, camp 
equipage, etc. ; don't like it, but have to obey orders. 
The camp is on a barren, bleak side hill long used for 
such a purpose, and it is cold, windy and dirty with a 
great deal of dust. I don't like the prospect. 

Friday, Dec. 2, 1864. 

Cold and windy ; no quarters or accommodations of 
any kind ; have been down to General Stevenson's to 
get relieved, but he won't listen to it; went later to 
Colonel Hunter to get permission to go down town to 
sleep, but he won't let me go; am to stay with the 
Quartermaster to-night; have drawn fifty-four shelter 
tents for the men who are out of everything are 
blue at having to stay here, and everything's de- 
pressing. I am glad they are good men ; wish I was 
out of this. 

Saturday, Dec. 3, 1864. 

Cold as ever; got an old rotten, dirty wall tent and 
put it up ; took the men's receipts for shelter tents ; 
fingers very cold and numb from writing ; camp dirty ; 
men complaining because they have no clothes ; 
quartermaster ordered to his regiment ; no one to issue 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 237 

clothing. Oh, dear ! When will I get out of this ? 
I'm disgusted with the management here. General 
Stevenson wants to put me on his staff as Depot 
Quartermaster at Harper's Ferry ; sent for me and 
urged me to accept; told him I preferred a fighting 
position to the end of the war with my regiment at 
the front ; think he was vexed with me, but I can't 
help it. I'm no shirk from battle if I have been four 
times wounded ! I'm no quitter ! besides I don't want 
to be filled with remorse in years to come that I 
shirked the front when needed. I propose to be able 
to look any man in the eye without flinchng on that 
score. 

Sunday, Dec. 4, 1864. 

Weather more comfortable this morning ; more con- 
valescents, etc., reporting in small squads; am feeling 
some better, but do want to go to my regiment: men 
complaining, but I can't help it, there's no quarter- 
master ; am busy with clothing rolls ; looks like storm 
to-night. 

Monday, Dec. 5, 1864. 

Cold northeast wind; am told by the Commanding 
Officer I shall probably get an order to go to Wash- 
ington to-night; am hurrying to finish my clothing 
rolls; twenty men reported to-night for the Ninth 
N. Y. Infantry ; don't believe I shall get an order to 
move after all to-night. Well I suppose this is all 
necessary to make a soldier! 



238 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1864. 
Laid out Company streets and had the men police; 
got a man to build me a chimney ; don't smoke ; am feel- 
ing better ; men in better spirits, but anxious to go to 
their regiments ; have had forty men turned over to 
my command without tents, overcoats or blankets ; 
had an interesting, good man report belonging to the 
Fourth N. J. Infantry, who can help me, and I like 
him ; don't like being commanding officer and every- 
thing else, though ; too much to do to look after a 
regiment of men without even a clerk. But they 
are good, and seem to like to be with me, for they 
are all the time wanting to do something for me — 
probably because I try to make them comfortable. 

Wednesday, Dec, 7, 1864. 
Pleasant and warm in the morning, but the wind 
began to blow about noon, and to-night it's quite un- 
comfortable. My clerk has quite an interesting his- 
tory, and I like him the more I see of him; got an 
order about 3 o'clock p. m. to get my men in read- 
iness for the cars for Washington ; left about 9 
o'clock p. m. in a rainstorm. 

Thursday, Dec. 8, 1864. 
Arrived at Washington Junction at daylight; were 
delayed by freight trains till 8 o'clock a. m. ; arrived 
in Washington about 10 o'clock a. m. A man got 
shot in the foot; got breakfast at the Soldiers Rest; 
am in charge of the guard. Colonel Hunter and the 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 239 



Adjutant are up town looking for General Wright; 
am to stay in town to-night. 

Friday, Dec. 9, 1864. 

Stopped at the National Hotel last night; looks 
like snow this morning; got my pay this forenoon; 
returned to the Soldiers Rest about noon; men in 
good spirits. Colonel Hunter was relieved this morn- 
ing by Major Jones; men started for the front this 
afternoon at 4 o'clock; hated to lose them. I leave 
on the government boat to-morrow for City Point. 

Saturday, Dec. 10, 1864. 
Staved at the Kirkwood last night; roomed with 
Captain Briggs of the One Hundred and Sixth N. Y. 
Infantry, but he was out all night; went to the Ger- 
man Opera at Grover's Theater last evening; about 
four inches of snow on the ground this morning; 
sailed with Captain Briggs for City Point at 3 o'clock 
p. m. ; dull, and cold wind down the river. 

Sunday, Dec. 11, 1864. 
Arrived at Fortress Monroe at 7 o'clock a. m. ; 
grand old place ; never saw so much shipping at one 
time before; left for City Point at 9 o'clock a. m. 
arriving about 3 o'clock p. m. ; stayed with Lieut. S. 
H. Lewis, Jr. till 5 o'clock p. m. ; arrived at brigade 
headquarters about 8 o'clock p. m. ; shall stay with 
Lieut. H. W. Kingsley to-night. 



240 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Monday, Dec. 12, 1864. 
Very cold all day ; remained with Kingsley until 
about II o'clock a. m. and then went over to the 
reg"iment some distance away; found the men 
stationed at Ft. Dushane doing garrison duty. Col- 
onel W. W. Henry has sent in his resignation ; sorry 
to lose him ; has been the most popular field officer we 
have ever had, all and all. Major L. T. Hunt has 
gone for good. Colonel C. G. Chandler has been 
courtmartialed ; will probably go home ; shall stay with 
Dr. Almon Clark ; quarters in a house near the fort ; 
men are without quarters ; have never seen the reg- 
iment so uncomfortably fixed. 

Tue;sday, Dec. 13, 1864. 
Not quite so cold. Captain A. W. Chilton and 
Lieut. Wheeler came off picket this morning; no 
orders to put up quarters ; wonder if some of the 
officers are not getting faint-hearted and getting out 
of it ; no one can accuse me of it after declining my 
discharge at Annapolis and General Stevenson's offer. 
I find the army in poor spirits ; needs rest, at any rate 
Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley part of it; give it rest 
and it will be all right for another campaign. These 
enormous earthworks in our front seem to give every- 
body the nightmare, but I anticipate a weakly manned 
part of the line will be found, easily broken, and then, 
as the enemy is disheartened, goodbye, Johnny ! The 
next campaign will be virtually the last. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 241 



Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1864. 

Has been quite warm and comfortable all day ; dull 
in camp, and no news from Generals Sherman or 
Thomas; got an order to fix up quarters this morn- 
ing which will do the men good as it wall occupy 
their minds; are getting out timber now; shall be 
glad when my hut is fixed; am tired of changing 
about so much ; wrote to Jim Burnham this evening ; 
expected to go on duty this morning. 

Thursday, Dec. 15, 1864. 

Very warm and comfortable all day; am on duty 
in the fort ; have a guard of one Sergeant, three Cor- 
porals and thirty-six men; duty easy; rumors from 
General Thomas this evening but nothing reliable; 
got a letter from Cousin Pert to-day; no news from 
Oakdale, Mass.; was very sorry to learn of G. B. 
Putnam's death. 

Friday, Dec. 16, 1864. 

Warm and pleasant; trains busy drawing hut tim- 
ber; was relieved from guard by the One Hundred 
and Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry; am not 
feeling well; received a letter from David Mower 
and have answered it; all well in \'ermont; Captain 
H, H. Dewey and Lieutenant Daniel Foster, Tenth 
Vermont, reported for duty this morning from City 
Point ; have been ill in hospital there ; had an undress 
parade this evening; good news from Thomas. 
Lieutenant Alexander Wilkey starts for home in the 
morning. 



242 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Saturday, Dec. 17, 1864. 
Fair, comfortable day ; men busy putting up quar- 
ters ; shall commence my hut when the men finish 
theirs ; good news from Generals Sherman and Thomas 
this evening ; have written Dr. J. H. Jones this even- 
ing; southeast storm brewing; cannonading towards 
Petersburg to-night ; nothing unusual. 

Sunday, Dec. 18, 1864. 
Quite comfortable all day. Colonel W. W. Henry's 
resignation came back last night accepted ; will leave 
at 7.40 o'clock a. m. to-morrow ; officers gave him a 
farewell supper to-night. Captain G. B. Damon comes 
back to the regiment to-night from the division staff. 
I have been recommended for the Captaincy of Com- 
pany G overslaughing several other officers, provided 
he is made Major; all's quiet. 

Monday, Dec. 19, 1864. 
Colonel W. W. Henry started for Vermont this 
morning ; most of the officers of the reg-iment went to 
the cars to see him op ; commenced raining about 
8 o'clock a. m. ; didn't rain long ; men very busy on 
their cabins ; got a Washington Chronicle to-night ; 
good news from Generals Sherman and Thomas, the 
latter having captured fifty eight guns and five 
thousand prisoners. 

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1864. 
It's rumored we are to move camp in a day or two ; 
wish they would allow us to stay here ; had monthly 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 243 

inspection at 3 o'clock p. m. ; men in good condition 
considering-. Captain Day was our inspecting officer. 
Captain G. E. Davis has gone to City Point; returned 
at 9 o'clock p. m. ; got me two wool blankets ; rumored 
in camp Jeff Davis is dead; don't believe it. 

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1864. 
Rained hard most of the day from 7 o'clock a. m. ; 
have suspended work on the huts ; expect to move 
in a few days ; very muddy in camp ; clear, cold north 
wind and freezing at 9 o'clock p. m. ; news still good 
from Sherman and Thomas. 

Thursday, Dec. 22, 1864. 

Cold and windy ; froze about four inches last night. 
Captain Bartruff has been over to call on us; says 
that we will have to move over with the rest of the 
brigade to-morrow, but why were we told to build 
quarters here? Pretty rough, but we shall have to 
stand it ! Glorious news from General Thomas to- 
night ; has captured sixty-one pieces of artillery and 
nine thousand prisoners. We move at 9 o'clock a. 
m. to-morrow. 

Friday, Dec. 23, 1864. 

Moved at 8 o'clock a. m. ; weather freezing cold; 
only seven teams at work with us; regiment excused 
from brigade dress parade this evening. It's very cold 
to-night; shall sleep on Captain G. E. Davis's floor; 
men are without quarters ; should think they would 



244 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

freeze. It's rumored Savannah is captured ; doubt 
it. 

Saturday, Dec. 24, 1864. 
Very cold, but more comfortable than yesterday ; 
commenced putting up my cabin this morning; not 
quite up to-night; regimental dress parade this even- 
ing. General Butler's fleet is off Wilmington ; 
Savannah, Ga. reported captured through rebel 
sources ; have written to David Mower, and to Wash- 
ington for my valise ; weather moderating ; all's quiet 
in front. 

Sunday, Dec. 25, 1864. 
Rained all night ; very muddy ; working hard to 
finish my house by to-morrow night ; had 10.30 o'clock 
a. m. Company inspection ; various rumors about 
General Sherman ; news good from General Thomas ; 
good regimental dress parade this evening. 

Monday, Dec. 26, 1864. 
Received official information from General Sher- 
man this morning that he had taken Savannah, Ga. 
with thirty-three thousand bales of cotton, one hun- 
dred and fifty heavy guns, and eight hundred pris- 
oners ; one hundred shotted guns fired in honor of it 
here ; Thomas reports seventeen thousand prisoners, 
eighty-one guns, etc., taken from General Hood; no 
news from the Shenandoah Valley; rumored in camp 
that the Eighth Corps is at Dutch Gap ; hut covered 
and banked up ; regimental dress parade to-night ; mud 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 245 



drying- up ; reckon the Confederacy is crumbling 
rapidly. 

Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1864. 
Quite decent under foot ; hut about done ; shall 
move into it to-morrow night. Captain Merritt 
Barber has been over and turned over Com- 
pany E property to me; good brigade dress parade 
this evening; had a call from Lieut. Pierce of the 
Second Division to-night ; have written Levi Header 
this evening; am to be brigade officer of the guard 
to-morrow. 

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1864. 

Mounted brigade guard at 8.30 o'clock a. m. as 
officer of the guard ; northeast chilly wind ; brigade 
dress parade this evening ; Tenth Vermont worked 
on breastworks this forenoon ; finished my cabin to- 
day; wrote brother Charles this evening; received a 
letter and diary for 1865 from Cousin Pert; weather 
very rough to-night. 

Thursday, Dec. 29, 1864. 

Weather has moderated since morning; quite 
muddy; had two hours battalion drill; think it a big 
thing on ice. In my opinion we would look better in 
the house, and I am sure we should feel better; got 
a letter from Dr. J. H. Jones to-night. He was married 
Nov. 8, 1864; received our muster and pay rolls to- 
day : have commenced a part of two ; hard cold north 
wind to-night. Sergeant Charles of the One Hun- 
dred and Fiftv-first New York is here to-night. 



246 CIVIL irAR DIARY, 1S64. 

Friday, Dec. 30, 1864. 

Worked all day on muster and pay rolls ; mild 
south wind ; storm brewing. Captain G. E. Davis 
drilled the battalion this afternoon in the manual of 
arms ; muddy brigade dress parade this evening ; 
hardly a gun to be heard on picket to-night ; no letters 
or news ; retired at 1 1 o'clock p. m. tired. 

Saturday, Dec. 31, 1864. 

Well, here I am again in winter quarters, but how 
different from twelve months ago. I confess, though, 
that my prayer has been answered, the year having 
been passed as happily by me as could have been 
expected under the circumstances. I have been called 
upon to pass through a great many ordeals but with 
God's grace have come out alive. I shudder when 
I think how many have been killed out of our little 
band, yet I am spared perhaps for some good pur- 
pose ; I hope so, anyway.* I'm about to commence 
another year. I feel sad to bid the old one farewell. 
It has been a strenuous, eventful and historic one. 
May the next end the war, if it is God's will. 

*Possibly I was spared during the Civil War to be 
God's medium to civilize the Indians — the most distin- 
guished service of my life — as I was greatly honored in 
1877-78, by being selected from the army to study them, 
and recommend what would be the best thing to do to 
civilize and take them from the war path, which I did, and 
the government adopted my plan, which was successful, in 
opposition to most of the leading generals of the army, 
as they deemed it impracticable. The history of this can 
be found in Addenda No. 2, pp. 1057-80, Vol. II, Descendants 
of George Abbott of Rowley, Mass., which can be found in 
most leading libraries. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 247 



ADDENDA NO i. 



The Battle; of Locust Grove, Va., Nov. 2y, 1863.* 
This was the real christening fight of the reg- 
iment, and was badly managed. In the assault on 
greatly superior numbers, the brigade was marched 
in line of battle in quick time through the forest 
which was fiercely shelled, as though at drill, the men 
not breaking— at least not in the Tenth Vermont — 
until within about seventy-five yards of the enemy's 
unusually strong and favorably posted skirmish line 
behind a very high rail fence in the edge of a large 
cleared field in the midst of the forest, a corner of 
which field opposite the three left companies of the 
regiment formed an acute angle slightly less than a 
right angle, the two long sides of which opposite us 
being skirted by a Virginia rail fence eight rails or 
more in height, in the edge of the woods, consider- 
ably higher than a man's head. 

When in the woods in a ravine running parallel 
to the long base of the triangle directly in front — 
the sharp angle to the right — with gradually upward 
sloping ground toward the enemy about seventy-five 
yards away, the three left companies under severe 



*No diary was kept at this time by Major Abbott, hence 
the details of this battle are given here. 



248 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

fire had considerably curved to the rear, each being 
a Httle further back than the one on its right, as usual 
in such circumstances, which brought Company B be- 
ing on the left of the regiment, not only exposed to the 
severest fire, but the furtherest to the rear of any. 
With reason, as unwisely no order had been given 
to fire in Company B, and the men being inexperi- 
enced and supposing they had got to await orders to 
do so as at drill, the line commenced to waver, when 
Colonel Albert B. Jewett approached from the rear 
and cried out loudly, among other things : "Company 
B, what's the matter?" or to that efifect. As a matter 
of fact there zvas matter enough, which he soon found 
after arriving, as he not only wisely sought 
cover himself, but someone ordered the men to do so 
by lying down. There were no troops immediately on 
the left of Company B and it drew the fire of the 
enemy's Infantry behind the fence, not only in front, 
but for some distance to the left ; and as the ground 
occupied by the enemy was considerably higher the 
situation was most trying. I am aware it is claimed 
that the regiment was in the centre of the brigade,* 
but if it was, the regiment on its left was out of sight, 
and as it was almost a dead level along the ravine 
as far as the eye could reach through the woods from 
Company B which was on the left of the regiment, 
it couldn't be seen by me. It is not probable this 



*See Haynes' "Hist. Tenth Regiment Vermont Infantry," 
p. 54. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 249 

and many other similar errors are the faults of the 
painstaking and estimable Historian Dr. E. M. 
Haynes, but it is more probably due to erroneous 
official reports of battles of regimental, brigade and 
other commanders as well as unreliable verbal reports, 
etc., which when once in history are hard to correct. 
When forming, too, for the assault, Lieut. Ezra 
Stetson who was in command of Company B stood 
in front of it, and supposing he was going to advance 
in that position, I (then Second Lieutenant Company 
D, but assigned to fight with my old Company B 
that day), also took my position in front of the Com- 
pany expecting to advance in the same way, but 
was finally ordered just before advancing, by Stetson, 
to go to the right of the front rank in line, where I 
supposed in my ignorance of warfare, although a 
fair tactician, I had got to remain and did until the line 
broke in the second advance, Stetson meantime being 
a novice in fighting men in battle, going to the rear 
of the Company. As it may be convenient for the 
good of the service for some to cite this battle, to- 
gether with others, to Congressmen as an important 
reason why men with no experience in battle should 
never be placed in high position to command men 
especially in the regular army where it can generally 
be avoided, I feel constrained to state that the de- 
risive smile and expression on the men's faces, etc., 
as I turned to obey Stetson's order plainly showed 
that they disapproved of any such arrangement and 



250 CIVIL IVAR DIARY, 1864. 

persistently hung back in the advance in consequence, 
which to say the least, was very embarrassing- to 1 
proud spirit, my pride being very much centered in 
my old Company, which I knew, if properly handled, 
would give a good account of itself. Several times 
I was greatly tempted to go in front of the men and 
lead them, as it was plain to be seen they sensibly 
wouldn't be driven at a slow gait into battle like so 
many lambs for slaughter without even being given 
the command to fire when within a stone's throw 
of the enemy, which with deadly aim was shooting 
them down deliberately, for there was nothing to pre- 
vent its doing so on our part, and why shouldn't it 
do so ? It was war, that's what we were there for, 
and being veteran fighters they took advantage of the 
situation. Who wouldn't? The only trouble with us 
was there wasn't anyone with authority from the 
highest officer down on that part of the line, who 
knew how to fight the command or if there was they 
didn't do it. But they were not to blame for it. 
Who was ? It was the Congress which makes the laws 
for the Government of the army ; it has never enacted 
a law as important as it is, making it impossible to 
appoint men to high army positions who have never 
been in battle enough to know how to take care of 
their men, or to tell the officers of their command how 
to do so. 

But realizing that to lead the Company and make 
a dash for the fence would be virtually taking the 



CIVIL iVAR DIARY, 1864. 251 

command from my superior officer, and only at that 
time having a crude idea of such things even in such 
an emergency. I held my peace, although the com- 
paratively simple act of leading men in battle in the 
circumstances, as some Company Commanders did in 
this fight, would have been much more satisfactory 
to my troubled spirit than otherwise. As First Ser- 
geant it was generally acknowledged I had made 
Company B the best drilled and disciplined Company 
in the regiment, and feeling much genuine pride in 
the Company I had never felt more anxious for it 
than in this battle, as I wanted it to give a good 
account of itself as a good fighting Company as well, 
which it did in the latter part of the battle, when it 
largely went over the fence in an endeavor to help 
make the star movement of the day, but which it 
failed in helping to do, because of the weakness of 
some of the left Company Commanders of the reg- 
iment. Although General Wm. H. Morris in his 
official report of the fight cites this movement as 
due to enthusiasm on the part of the men on the left 
of the Tenth Vermont, had he been on that part of 
the line he would not only have commended it in 
stronger terms than he did, but if a good strategist 
would have insisted on the movement being executed 
as if it was worth while to engage the enemy at all 
here — which is now greatly doubted as Meade's army 
wasn't then ready for a general engagement — it was 
certainly worth while to try and turn the enemy's 



252 CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 

flank at this point, which could have been done by 
advancing the three left companies of the regiment 
by a two-thirds right turn or wheel across the before- 
mentioned angle to the second fence. The enemy 
understood the importance of the move, which was 
one reason doubtless that made them contest so stub- 
bornly the first line of fence. This we tried to do 
and in the second assault the men, led by some of 
the most daring wisely broke and made a dash for 
the first fence and over it half across the open field 
of the triangle to the second fence when we were re- 
called to the first behind which most had stopped 
and opened fire, including Stetson, Captain Hiram R. 
Steele and others. I was the only officer over the 
fence, so far as seen by me, and had fearlessly en- 
deavored seeing at a glance an opportunity for an 
effective flank movement which would greatly re- 
lieve the entire brigade to the right to take the second 
line of fence on the opposite side of the triangle, 
which was just what was needed, and which could 
have been done if the movement had been supported 
with vim by the entire left wing of the regiment. 
During the day private G. D. Storrs was killed, and 
Sergeant H. M. Pierce, of Montpelier, and privates 
John Blanchard and Lafayette G. Ripley, of Barre, 
Peter Bover, H. W. Crossett, J. M. Mather and W. 
M. Thayer, and perhaps others of Company B, all 
brave good men, were so badly wounded as to disable 
most of them, such as did not die, for the balance of 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 253 



the war for duty at the front ; but two or more of these 
died of their wounds. 

FeeHng nettled, although not in command of Com- 
pany B, and not responsible for its behavior, at Col- 
onel Jewett's brusque manner towards it in the ravine, 
when it was discovered that the flank movement be- 
fore mentioned, would be a failure for want of sup- 
port, in order to say I had been the furtherest to the 
front of anyone over the fence or in the regiment, I 
foolishly ran forward under heavy fire a few steps 
after ordered back, to a big stump, hit it with my 
sword savagely, as I was disgusted at not being fully 
supported, when on turning round I found myself 
alone with bullets flying about me faster than ever, 
and the men rapidly scaling the fence twenty-five yards 
in rear on the left in full retreat from the angle. The 
men of Company B had gone the furtherest ahead of 
any over the fence, Stetson and others repeatedly 
calling, "Come back ! Come back !" As usual, when- 
ever there was an exceedingly hot place on the line 
of battle in our front, Alexander Scott, A. H. 
Crown and others of the Burlington Company (D), 
as well as Z. M. Mansur, the Bruces, W. H. 
Blake, Judson Spofiferd, J. W. Bancroft and 
others of Company K. were sure to be there 
fighting vigorously in the very front, as most 
of them were on this occasion. Fully forty or more 
men were with me from the three left companies, 
and it is regretted more of them can't be remembered 



254 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

by name, but the movement was too quickly executed, 
to go minutely into details, and forty years is a long 
time for a professional soldier where he has had to 
do with so many enlisted men meantime, to remember 
names. 

Says General W. H. Morris in his official report of 
this battle which as a whole is not in the best judg- 
ment, although he was a brave, courageous man: 
"The enemy was holding a fence on the crest of a 
hill in our front. I ordered the Tenth Vermont to 
charge and take it, and the regiment advanced in 
gallant style and took the crest. The left wing in 
its enthusiasm having advanced too far beyond the 
fence, it was necessary to recall it * * * I cannot 
speak of the conduct of the officers and men 
with too much praise." The regiment's loss was 
seventy-one killed and wounded, of which eight were 
from Company B. This loss was as needless as the 
fight, as we suspected at the time, and as history has 
proved since. 

Like most other engagements the most deserving 
who are generally on the fighting line where their work 
is not usually seen by such as can reward them in 
orders or otherwise, it was favorite staff officers and 
pets who were mentioned for gallantry in general 
orders afterwards. Had the men advanced less reg- 
ularly in line as at drill, more independently and rap- 
idly, firing meantime when in range of the enemy, 
our loss in comparison with what it was would have 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 255 



been insignificant. All the rest of the brigade had 
a less trying time of it than the three left companies 
of the Tenth \'ermont, as they were advancing through 
the woods with no open field in front with two nat- 
ural lines of breastworks, such as the formidable 
rail fences which bordered both long sides of the tri- 
angle before mentioned. This statement is in justice 
to the three left companies of the Tenth Vermont. 
The manner in which they stood the galling fire with- 
out breaking shows what splendid discipline they were 
under. I commanded all three companies afterwards 
in battle separately, and felt honored in doing so. 
There were few skulkers in these companies in any 
battle they were ever in when under my command. 
This battle is another illustration of the folly of ap- 
pointing men inexperienced in scientific warfare to 
high military office if it can be avoided, and it gener- 
ally can be in time of peace, especially in the regular 
army. Every army, Corps, Division, Brigade and 
Regimental Commander, should be a man who has 
had enough actual experience in fighting to know how 
to take care of his men in battle. If such had been 
the case in this fight, comparatively few men would 
have been killed or wounded. It is criminal to make 
any man a general, especially in the regular army, 
who has not had enough experience in actual fighting 
to know how to fight his command without an un- 
necessary loss of life; and Congress which has the 
authority and is indirectly responsible in such matters. 



256 CIVIL, WAR DIARY, 1864. 

should make laws such as will render it impossible 
to do so except in emergencies, and until it does so 
every individual member of Congress will be crim- 
inally guilty before God for every man so sacrificed 
in battle. It is not known to me whose fault it was 
that orders were not given to advance more rapidly, 
and to fire sooner in the fight at Locust Grove. 



ADDENDA NO. 2. 



The Battle of Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. 
AND THE Status of the Sixth Corps with 
Generals Grant and Sheridan. 
I was absent wounded in V^ermont at the time of 
the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., and only know that 
my regiment fought desperately and lost heavily in 
killed and wounded. Captain Lucian D. Thompson 
of Waterbury, Vt., was decapitated by a solid shot 
from the enemy and Captain Chester K. Nye, Adju- 
tant Wyllys Lyman and Lieutenants George E. Davis, 
B. Brooks Clark, Austin W. Fuller and George P. 
Welch were wounded. From June ist to October 19, 
1864, we had seven officers killed. which included all 
the officers who originally went out with my old Com- 
pany B, twelve wounded and two captured, making 
twenty-one in all. Surely, the blood shed in the Tenth 
Vermont for the preservation of the Union should 
satisfy the most exacting that the regiment stood up 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 257 



to the rack all through the Civil War from the time 
it entered it. 

After the morning surprise at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 
1864, just a month after the battle of Winchester, 
the Sixth Corps, I was told by officers of my regi- 
ment afterwards, was the only unstampeded infantry 
organization in the command around which General 
H. G. Wright soon rallied the better part of the sur- 
prised little army which Sheridan, after his historic 
ride of "Twenty Miles Away" from Winchester, 
found awaiting him ready to advance and again 
punish the enemy which it most effectually did. It 
was the last fight in the valley of the Civil War, and 
it was fitting that the Sixth Corps should have been 
allowed so largely to have so brilliantly rung down 
the curtain on the great Civil War stage in this sec- 
tion. The Sixth Corps was the mainstay of Sheri- 
dan's brilliant little army in the Shenandoah Valley 
campaign, and no one knew it better than he. When 
the spring campaign opened in 1865, he wanted it at 
Five Forks again, but Grant wanted it, too, at the 
same time to break the backbone of the Confederacy 
by breaking its lines in front of Petersburg on that 
memorable morning of April 2nd, 1865, which was 
the greatest possible honor of the day, and it did it. 
When given his choice by Grant of any corps in the 
army of the Potomac, Sheridan again called for it, 
too, a few days later, April 6, 1865, at Sailor's Creek, 
\?i., the last real battle fought in the Civil War by 



258 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

the Army of the Potomac, when the Sixth Corps was 
rushed forward by Grant's order at pell-mell speed, 
where in another of Sheridan's characteristic, snappy, 
short, effective, two-hour fights, it largely helped to 
capture several — said to be eleven — general officers, 
13,000* prisoners and a burning wagon train, almost 
an entire column, excepting about 2,000 of General 
Lee's fleeing veterans, including himself, three days 
before his surrender at Appomattox. It was fitting, 
too, here, that the Sixth Corps should largely fight 
this battle and thus again brilliantly and virtually 
finally ring down the stage curtain of the greatest 
war tragedy of modern times — The Great Civil War, 
Surely with all the brag and conceit in late years 
by members of other corps, that its corps was the best 
in the Army of the Potomac — and the Second as well 
as the Fifth zverc fine corps, and probably both these 
and the Sixth Corps were about equal — neither Grant 
nor Sheridan could have regarded the Sixth as an 
unreliable one, or second to any as a fighting corps 
however often members of other corps may conceit- 
edly dub theirs the best in the army. And what other 



*So reported then. Generals Ewell and Custis Lee sur- 
rendered to our brigade. The guard was about to force 
them to wade a swollen morass about fifty yards wide, 
waist deep, but Ewell demurred. The guard said he had 
to wade it going over for them, and that it was no more 
than fair that they should wade it going back. Ewell 
replied that it took brave men to do it under fire, but that 
the necessity no longer existed for any one to wade it going 
either way, and so won the best of the argument, and his 
wish. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 259 



than the Sixth Corps can point to any such enviable 
repeated preferences on the part of both Grant and 
Sheridan, or to such a proud record in the closing 
scenes of the great rebellion? Would they not be 
glad to do so if they could? And still neither of the 
able commanders of the Sixth Corps — Sedgwick and 
Wright — have been honored by an appropriation for 
a monument by Congress in the capital city of the 
Nation which the Sixth Corps twice saved, once at 
the battle of the Monocacy, largely by the Third 
Division, July 9th, and again three days later largely 
by the First and Second Divisions at the battle in 
front of Ft. Stevens in the suburbs of Washington, 
July 1 2th, 1864, when Early came so near capturing 
the city. 

I do not believe in being invidious, but having been 
satiated for years by the egotistic statements of the 
superior qualifications by members of other corps of 
their particular corps, especially in Washington, and 
knowing only too well from long experience that fre- 
quently true merit goes unrewarded in history and 
otherwise, because of an over-modest inclination to 
mention facts by those interested who can, when or- 
ganizations and persons less worthy get more than is 
due by being more aggressive, is one of the reasons 
for my partially treating this matter. There was no 
corps, during the last few months of the war, to which 
Grant and Sheridan more frequently turned in emer- 
gencies than to the Sixth Corps, which is signifi- 



260 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

cant, as it shows their estimate of its merits as a 
reliable fighting corps, over all others. The Sixth 
Corps was ever proud of the Second and Fifth Corps 
and felt honored in being associated with such splen- 
did organizations in the same army all through the 
Civil War, but the Sixth Corps yields the palm to no 
other in the whole Union Army east or west when it 
comes to fighting or any other soldierly qualifications 
pertaining to a model army corps. 

Said General Grant in the closing scenes of the 
Civil War: "I can trust the Sixth Corps anywhere." 
Said General Sheridan: "Give me the Sixth Corps 
and I will charge anywhere." 



ADDENDA NO. 3. 



Final Breaking of the Enemy's Lines by the 

Sixth Army Corps, April 2, 1865, at the 

Siege oe Petersburg. 

This memorable siege extending over a period of 
several months, was full of exciting, eventful fights, 
but none more so than the final assault on the main 
works, April 2, 1865. For three nights the Sixth 
Corps, which had been selected by General Grant to 
break the main line of the formidable-looking forti- 
fications in and near its front to its left, around 
Petersburg, because of its known reliability for any 
work assigned it, had been ordered out between the 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 261 



lines as noiselessly as possible about midnight, and di- 
rected to lie in line of battle on the ground about 
two hundred yards from the enemy's picket line for 
the purpose of a morning assault. The First Brigade 
of the Third Division composed of five regiments, 
the One Hundred and Sixth and One Hundred and 
Fifty-first New York, Fourteenth New Jersey, 
Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania and Tenth Vermont 
Volunteer Infantry, was formed in three lines, the 
Tenth Vermont being on the right and the One Hun- 
dred and Sixth New York on the left forming the 
front line, the brigade being on the left of the Division 
and Corps near Fort Fisher on the side towards 
Hatcher's Run. As the distance between the works of 
the belligerent forces was the least here of any point 
along the front of the Sixth Corps probably, as 
claimed by Lieutenant-Colonel George B. Damon, in 
his official report, the colors of the Tenth Vermont 
were the first over the enemy's works in the Third 
Division though it is difficult to understand how in 
the darkness and confusion anyone could positively 
know this. 

The nights were cold and after the first one those 
who were fortunate enough to possess a rubber rain- 
coat, as I was, put it on over the blue overcoat which, 
when the sword belt was on made one fairly com- 
fortable even after lying on the ground for a long 
time. We were not allowed to talk or move about 
which made the blood sluggish, and lying on the 



262 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

cold frosty ground most of the night, together with 
the surroundings, etc., was not conducive to cheer- 
fulness, warmth or comfort. To our right, in front 
of Petersburg, the artillery firing was unusually brisk 
and even appalling. The damp heavy powder smoke- 
laden atmosphere was stifling as the dense smoke from 
the ominous artillery fire of hundreds of guns all 
along the lines from Richmond to Five Forks, about 
forty miles, except where General Park's Corps and 
the Sixth Corps were, where later in the night in 
front of the Sixth Corps, the grand finale of the battle 
that was to soon bring peace to our stricken country 
and rest to two valiant armies, was to take place, 
settled to the ground, which added to the gloom of a 
terriSle night of waiting and suspense, as had been 
the previous two when so situated. 

The enemy's earthworks were very formidable,* 
fully eight feet high and in places still higher between 
thickly interspersed forts and redoubts and especially 
in front of our brigade, in front of which works was 
a ditch or moat about eight feet deep and wide, 
partially filled with water, bridged at intervals of about 
fifty yards and in some places much less, with a 
single log hewn flat on top for the use of the pickets. 
In front of this moat there were three — not "one or 
tzvo" as stated in General H. G. Wright's official 



*The size of these redoubts, Fort, adjacent works, moat, 
etc., in front of our brigade in any description I have 
ever seen have always been greatly dwarfed. I fought 
over them about three hours and know whereof I write. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 263 



report — lines of heavy abatis and chevaitx-dc-frise 
heavily wired together. With a strong force well in 
hand behind this formidable array of works it would 
have been impregnable against any assaulting column 
of infantry alone. The pioneer corps, Capt. S. H. 
Perham commanding had been assigned the unen- 
viable task of cutting away the abatis and chcvaiix-de- 
frisc in places as it advanced with us to enable the 
men to pass. During the night word was passed 
along the line that it was not known from which flank 
the movement to advance would begin, but to follow 
it whichever way it came from by advancing as it 
reached each company. This threw great responsi- 
bility on me as my company was in the front line and 
on the right of the brigade. I knew nothing of the 
signal gun for the general advance to be fired from 
Fort Fisher at "about 4.45" o'clock a. m. ; indeed if it 
was fired amid the din I did not know it or its signif- 
icance. I had just been promoted Captain of Company 
G, overslaughing several other First Lieutenants who 
had been less regularly on the fighting line. 

To the right of Company G, there was no connecting 
line that could be seen, owing to the darkness. Not 
then knowing the division formation I was much per- 
plexed over this, and finally after directing the men 
on the left of the Company, which joined the next 
company to the left, to advance with the line in case 
the movement forward commenced with the left flank, 
I concluded for obvious reasons to take my position 



264 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

on the right of my company, where intently watching 
and listening for any advance in that direction, sup- 
posing I could hear it and that I could rely on the 
left guide of my Company to do as directed, I paid 
no attention to the left flank; but shortly after the 
line had advanced and before any firing had occurred 
in our front on the advancing column, one of the men, 
more conscientious than the guide on the left of the 
Company, who had heard my orders to him came to me 
and said the line to the left had advanced a little be- 
fore, but it had done so so silently everything on the 
person, canteens, etc., that would make a noise hav- 
ing been tied fast, in the darkness, smoke and din 
the advance hadn't been seen or heard by me to the 
left of the Company where it commenced. 

There was no time for investigation or anything 
but prompt, vigorous action, and greatly annoyed at 
being placed in a false position and for other obvious 
reasons for I was no shirk in battle, I sprang to the 
front of my Company intent on catching up with the 
column, directed the Company to follow me which it 
did at first, but in the darkness that was the last 
seen of it, for as in most battles, the men broke, only 
the most intrepid taking the lead, and what became of 
such in this instance is not known. It would have 
been much better, easier and safer to have advanced 
when the movement first commenced, as the enemy's 
pickets, except such as fell back into their works, 
threw down their arms without firing and surren- 



CIVIL IV AR DIARY, 1864. 265 



dered; and those behind their works were largely in 
bed fast asleep except a few in a strong fort and 
redoubt in front of the First Brigade, to the left of 
where my Company lay in line, who seemed to have 
been alert all night. These, as soon as they dis- 
covered we were assaulting, swept the ground we 
and others advanced over in front of the works — 
the two lines of works here of the two armies being 
about two thousand yards apart more or less — with 
grape and cannister, the firing commencing just as 
I was about half way to the enemy's works, together 
with desultory musketry firing, showing that none 
of our men were yet over them. The enemy fought 
most desperately in this fort, for two hours or so 
after daylight. Indeed, it is plain to me that it mo- 
mentarily abandoned the fort at first until the bulk of 
our men had passed by them to the left towards 
Hatcher's Run, and then almost at once reoccupied it, 
as the discharge of artillery from it was almost con- 
tinuous excepting a few minutes after I entered the 
enemy's works, until we took it about 8.15 o'clock a. 
m. The fort was to my left front, hence I did not ap- 
proach it directly, but moved along to it later on after 
entering the works. The first redoubt from the fort 
about one hundred and fifty yards towards 
Petersburg had given up without much resistance there 
being but one or two guns in it, after the first weak 
musketry volley, the men in and infantry supporting it, 
running into the woods in rear, such as did not sur- 



266 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

render. The second redoubt from the fort towards 
Petersburg had no artillery in it and was easily taken. 
As soon as it was light enough to see, some of our 
heterogeneous force in which were two or three artil- 
lerymen — for there was no organized separate Union 
command anywhere either inside or about the enemy's 
works here — turned the enemy's gun from this first 
redoubt after moving it to a more advantageous point 
overlooking the fort, on its intrepid little party which 
from the first was supported by about a hundred of 
its infantry in the brush and woods — a jungle — in 
rear of and running down a small ravine passing be- 
tween the fort and redoubt to within twenty yards 
of the fort and its right environment or earthwork, 
until finally some of our men in the last assault on 
it sprang into the fort, clubbed and knocked down with 
their discharged muskets the few remaining men who 
had not fled or been killed, some of whom, when 
lying on their backs, seizing the lanyards just within 
reach and persistently endeavored to fire the pieces, 
and were only prevented by some of our men standing 
dramatically over the prostrate men with inverted guns 
and fixed bayonet ready to impale them if they per- 
sisted. This ended the fighting in front of where the 
First Brigade lay before the assault, and probably 
in front of the whole Sixth Corps, at any rate in 
front of the Third Division all the works having been 
taken, the capture of these two works being the most 
difficult being nearer together than any other similar 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 267 

fortifications in the Sixth Corps front, which made 
it the hardest point to take in its front, especially 
as the ground was high and the enemy's artillery 
commanded the gradually sloping ground in front 
and to its right and left. There were three or four 
pieces of artillery in this fort which also fell into our 
hands. The woods a quarter of a mile in rear of the 
fort was swarming with armed and unarmed Johnnies. 
It was plucky fighting on both sides, for those engaged. 
But what had become of Company G was a quan- 
dary, as not a man could be found. I had run with 
all speed possible in order to get over the shell-swept 
ground as soon as practicable in front of the enemy's 
works supposing some of my men would follow me 
as usual, and within a few minutes had scaled the 
works, having caught up with the advance which 
had been delayed by the abatis, etc., greatly won- 
dering at the few who had really reached the works 
which were actually taken, all other flowery reports 
to the contrary notwithstanding, for a distance of 
about six hundred yards or more including finally 
the redoubts and fort by a very few determined men 
such as generally lead any assaulting column and 
cannot be turned back except greatly outnumbered; 
but this number was rapidly increased by stragglers. 
There was no jumping into the ditch in front of the 
works, and out again in my vicinity, for as our men 
were not then taught to scale perpendicular walls eight 
or ten feet high, they could not have gotten out of 



268 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

the ditch alone even if they had gotten in and wanted 
to ; besides, it had several feet of water in it almost 
continuously, and for obvious reasons others under 
stress of circumstances could not stop to help them out 
if they wanted to even if any had fallen into the 
ditch by accident, and they certainly wouldn't have 
gotten into it in any other way in the circumstances. 
The ditch was the same as found around permanent 
forts, very formidable, and if anything even deeper. 
The works and protections in front were zvonderfully 
strong; more so here than at any other point in front 
of the Sixth Corps. The redoubt and ugly-looking 
fort on a slight eminence in front of the First Brigade 
a little to the left of where my Company lay in line, 
had caused most of our brigade and other organiza- 
tions within reach of the fort's guns, to oblique — 
as I could see them doing it by the momentary flash 
of the enemy's artillery from this fort which lit up 
the ground in its front and on either side — both to 
the right and left but largely to the left where most of 
such as went over the works in the assault to the 
left of the fort probably turned along them towards 
Hatcher's Run — as the enemy once flanked in their 
work would fall back from them except where there 
were forts, etc., — leaving the redoubt and fort with 
some half dozen pieces of field artillery, which be- 
longed to the rest of our corps to help take to be 
subdued by such of the more intrepid of the Third 
Division and other commands, as marched straight 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 269 

up to the rack whether there was anything in it or 
not. At any rate, so far as I know, no considerable 
number of our regiment or of any other regiment was 
in the enemy's works opposite where the First Bri- 
gade of the Third Division lay in Hne before assault- 
ing shortly before daylight, nor was any of the Tenth 
Vermont, or any other of our forces in the last fort 
taken for obvious reasons for any length of time till 
it was finally taken about 8.15 o'clock a. m. There 
was not a score of men in sight as soon as light 
enough to see, for two hundred yards inside the 
works, everyone acting independently, where I first 
entered them to the right of the two redoubts and fort 
with others of the assaulting men only two of whom 
were killed immediately near the works in the assault, 
one just in front, and another whose body fell on the 
front slope of the works where I entered, which 
shows comparatively speaking, what a bloodless affair 
it was at this point, which was generally the case, too, 
all along the line except where there were forts, etc., 
and how little resistance there really was in front of the 
First Brigade excepting that of the one fort which 
so stubbornly held out. There were so few of our 
men in the works it was lonesome after some of the 
men had moved to the left in the darkness and could 
not be seen any distance away by such as didn't know 
it was the plan of battle to go to the left ; and not one 
of the enemy even after dawn could be seen for long 
intervals, dead or alive. What few had been in the 



270 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

works except such as surrendered, mostly ran half- 
clad, save such as were timely warned, into the woods 
back of the works before and at the time we entered 
them, and hid. It was the most remarkable case of 
stampede and temporary disorganization on the part 
of both veteran armies seen during the war. The 
formidable-looking works supposed to be fairly well 
manned, which we had faced for months, had had 
their effect on our army, and the Confederates being 
surprised and supposing they were attacked by an 
overwhelming number, but were really not so con- 
fronted in their works except as the men accumulated 
moving to the left, largely gave up in the darkness 
without a struggle. Surely God was with us in this 
latter case. We could never have assaulted these 
works successfully by daylight, even with the force 
then in them of the enemy. 

Rather cautiously after waiting a little inside the 
works for the gray of the morning, as there were not 
men enough to be aggressive in the darkness, I, with 
a couple of men, there being no other officer in the 
neighborhood so far as I could see, commenced to 
investigate the cabins to make sure the premises were 
as safe as appearances would indicate. An investi- 
gation of one was startling. On approaching it in the 
early gray of the morning, and peering in at the open 
door, two of the enemy were dimly observed, one 
lying on the floor, and the other sitting upon the 
edge of his bunk apparently hesitating about dressing, 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 271 

but on cautiously going near the door which faced 
the east and craning my neck so as to get one eye on 
the men without exposing my body, I rather doubt- 
fully demanded their surrender, but they had already 
made their final surrender to their Maker; they were 
both dead. The sitting man's body had been so per- 
fectly balanced when instantly killed it had remained 
in its lifelike sitting position. I had seen one other 
such case during the war before. The discovery 
that he was dead was startling in the dim morning 
light which, on leaning forward after a step inside 
the cabin, revealed the pallor of his face and look of 
death. Afterwards gradually drifting and stumbling 
along the works with others a short distance in the 
gloam of the morning to the enemy's right to where 
the fort was, about seventy-five of our men, the odds 
and ends of many different commands, frequently in- 
creased by stragglers who had not entered the works 
at first, were gathering to assault the fort containing 
the guns which had shelled us so fiercely when ap- 
proaching the enemy's works, those undelayed by in- 
vestigation as I was delayed, reaching it first. Finding 
none of my men here or a familiar face — although it is 
stated in the regimental history that Lieutenant-Colonel 
George B. Damon and Major Wyllys Lyman were 
there — and seeing that the force was small and made 
up promiscuously, and that as great a show as possible 
should be made, I joined in the assaults, the result 
of which has already been given. It's a mistake to 



272 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

suppose this was a large affair ; it was a hot fight for 
those engaged, but all told on both sides, though, 
there wasn't three hundred men. The Second Brigade 
never came to us during the struggle. The fight 
was wholly by a heterogeneous lot of officers and men 
separated from their commands by darkness in the 
general assault. As this was the first fight I was in 
with my new Company, being but a short time with 
it, and unfamiliar with the men's faces, a goodly num- 
ber of whom were recruits, and as all in such cir- 
cumstances would be powder and dirt-stained and 
very smutty, and as the men were unusually bundled 
up for the occasion, it is possible that some of them 
may have taken part in the capture of this fort un- 
known to me, the same as I did. Corp. George W. 
Wise has since told me he did. 

The fighting being over on this part of the line, 
and not knowing we were to go along the line 
to the left or that the Sixth Corps had any business 
in front of the Corps on its left such being unusual, 
and never dreaming, being unable to see in the dark- 
ness, so few of us had taken our part of the enemy's 
works alone, i, e. the redoubts and fort — which to- 
gether with the contiguous breastworks covered our 
brigade front — but of course knoiuing we had cap- 
tured the fort alone, and wondering if it could be 
possible that others could have followed the enemy's 
main body into the forest in rear of their works when 
first entering, where I would possibly find some of my 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 273 

men, I commenced to investigate. Going about a 
quarter of a mile into the woods alone, soon individ- 
ual members of the enemy looking comical enough, 
commenced to appear from their hiding places here 
and there half-clad, some without hats, pants, shoes, 
guns, etc., showing how completely they had been 
surprised, offering to surrender, but were afraid when 
directed to go to the rear of our lines to go alone 
through them for fear of being misunderstood and 
shot. In less time than it takes to tell it, three 
comical-looking long haired, shriveled, half-clad and 
starved cadaverous-looking specimens of humanity 
had surrendered within a space a rod square, the 
woods being full of them, when it dawned on me 
that there could be no Federal force in that direction, 
or these men would have been taken and that I might 
be out of luck if I happened to strike alone one or 
more of the unbeaten enemy with loaded gun; and 
so drawing my loaded revolver ready for emergency, 
I returned to the works with my numerous prisoners, 
others surrendering en route, just in season to see 
General Grant, who had probably been waiting for 
information that the fort had been taken, and his 
retinue of about one hundred pass inside the enemy's 
works by the fort we had taken, going towards Peters- 
burg. He was mounted on a proud-stepping dark 
charger, dressed with unusual care and never appeared 
to better advantage. The occasion inspiring it, he 
was a perfect picture of a conquering hero, but 



274 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



seemed all unconscious of it. The artist who could 
put Grant and his suite on canvas as he appeared then 
would win renown. As Grant's eye caught the motley 
group of prisoners with me, who were regarding 
him with silent, open-mouthed wonder, he slightly 
smiled, drew in his horse a little as though to speak 
or in doubt of his safety, seeing the rebs had guns, but 
finally dashed on, an impressive picture not only in 
the midst of war, but surrounded by grand fortifi- 
cations and the victorious and defeated living, wound- 
ed, dying and dead, real heroes of both the blue and 
the gray, never to be forgotten by those who were 
fortunate enough to see it. 

But by this time, it being about 9 o'clock a. m. 
or later, being nearly melted from over-exertion and 
affected with nausea from long fasting and rushing 
about fighting and looking for my men from one 
point to another, clad with two overcoats, which I 
had no time to remove or place to leave them if I 
did, being without food and not able to find any of my 
men, and feeling bad and worried about them, I 
felt constrained to go to the hospital joining my Com- 
pany which had gotten together meantime by prob- 
ably going along that portion of the enemy's com- 
paratively fortless works which when once broken 
would have to be evacuated, about two miles to the 
right of where I had gone over the enemy's works, 
towards Petersburg, the next morning. As nothing 
but straggling men, the best fighters who lead every 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 275 

assaulting column were found from the time I en- 
tered the enemy's works before dawn up to about 
9 o'clock a. m., owing to the assault having been made 
in the dark, nothing was thought of it at the time 
as I knew that where I had been all commands were 
similarly disorganized. It was fortunate for the Union 
forces, though, there was so few of the enemy be- 
hind its works near and in the fort before mentioned ; 
though as a whole taking the prisoners, the major part 
of those who ran into the woods, together with those 
who stood their ground and fought us, their number 
greatly exceeded ours inside their works at this point. 
It was the easiest fight of the war, but we expected 
it to be the hardest. But there were a goodly number 
of dead and wounded about the last fort taken, where 
about a hundred or more of the enemy had caused 
a needless sacrifice of life. There was never any 
doubt but that we should take the fort from the first, 
but it did seem provoking that the whole corps should 
shy by it in the darkness and leave it for a few to do 
and especially not make its work more thorough in 
taking prisoners; but I've always felt reconciled to it, 
as it gave me such an excellent view of General Grant 
at such an important time in his life. 

It has always seemed strange that it wasn't fully 
understood by all Company Commanders that a sig- 
nal gun would be fired from Fort Fisher "about 4.45 
o'clock a. m." for obvious reasons, and that the Sixth 
Corps was to turn to its left after entering the enemy's 



276 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

works and sweep them in that direction to Hatcher's 
Run in front of the other Corps. Of course it and 
the fact that Grant's headquarters were close to the left 
of the First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps (See 
Grant's Memoirs p. 310), shows that he had implicit 
faith in its ability to break the enemy's line of works 
and a possible doubt as to whether the other three 
corps including the Second, all of which were to the 
left of the Sixth, could do so or not in front of where 
they respectively laid. It was fortunate, however, 
that it wasn't fully understood that the Sixth Corps 
was to turn to its left and sweep the works as in case 
it had been the men who ran into the woods which 
was full of them, in rear of their works would have 
probably retaken some portions of them and caused 
still larger unnecessary loss of life. Probably it was 
thought instead, the enemy would move along their 
works to their right towards Hatcher's Run, no one 
ever dreaming they would become quite as badly dis- 
organized at once on our entering their works as we 
necessarily were after passing through the obstruc- 
tions in front of the same; but being surprised and 
on suddenly waking up, and finding us right amongst 
them, stampede followed. Aside from the foregoing 
defects in not having the plan of attack, etc., fully 
understood, the preliminaries of the assault were most 
admirably carried out; but the Creator knew what 
was best, and His unseen hand predominated. The 
slight shelling during the night to try and discover 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 277 



if we were preparing to attack proved futile not- 
withstanding it did kill and wound a few men in 
our Brigade. No shells reached Company G, prior 
to its advancing. My Company being on the right of 
the Brigade, owing to the long interval between it 
and the next Brigade on its right, there were fewer 
men of either army where I entered the works than 
any where else in the neighborhood. Most of the 
enemy from here ran to the redoubt and fort just to 
their right before mentioned and into the woods for 
obvious reasons, so fortunately there was hardly any 
resistance at this point ; still I saw the only two dead 
Union soldiers in front of the enemy's work and our 
Brigade right here, except after the fort was taken. 
General Grant was more highly pleased with what 
the Sixth Corps did than any other. He says in effect 
in his memoirs (ibid. p. 309), among other things, 
that General Wright with the Sixth Corps "Swung 
around to his left and moved to Hatcher's Run 
sweeping everything before him," and after reach- 
ing there (ibid. p. 310), Wright "Sent a regiment to 
destroy the South Side railroad just outside the city." 
But does he mention any other Corps so pleasingly? 
Let the misinformed or biased historians, and others 
of the so-called "best" Corps of the Army of the 
Potomac, read what Grant says of each in this fight 
in his Memoirs. He cannot be accused of fulsome 
praise in regard to any Corps, but he does mention 
in flattering terms the clean, brilliant work of the old 



278 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

reliable Sixth Corps which twice almost single-handed 
saved the National Capital during the last ten months 
of the war. Again here, too, at Petersburg as in the 
Shenandoah Valley, it was more conspicuous than 
any other Corps in ringing down the great stage cur- 
tain of this memorable siege. 

Had a long strong skirmish line with an occasional 
reserve been deployed at right angles to the enemy's 
works and swept to Hatcher's Run or further in rear 
of their works, probably many thousand more pris- 
oners would have been captured than were. As it 
was, the Sixth Corps took 3,000 prisoners, which 
Grant, whose headquarters were at Dabney's Saw 
Mill (ibid. p. 310), says he met going out of their 
works just as he was going over them to join the 
victorious Sixth Corps within the enemy's works 
where I saw him a few minutes later as before 
related. Grant does not say anything in his Memoirs 
about any other Corps having captured any prisoners, 
in case they did. Probably similar conditions ex- 
isted all along the lines taken in this closing, most 
unique and interesting battle of this historic siege so 
far as both sides were concerned as herein described ; 
and this is one reason I have so fully gone into de- 
tails never before having seen them as fully given by 
any eye witness and participant. Of course General 
Grant not being inside the lines he nor probably any 
other general officer at the moment of their being 
taken, was not an eye witness to the remarkable, 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 279 

stirring and unusual scenes of the moment and which 
immediately followed, and could not go fully into 
such details in their reports. 



ADDENDA NO. 4. 



The following congratulatory address by General 
Custer to his men at the close of the Civil War is 
supplied by Hon, A. H. Farnam, President of one of 
the largest Mill Companies of Aberdeen, Washington, 
who served with Custer's Cavalry with credit which 
served with the Sixth Corps at the battle of Win- 
chester, Va., Sept, 19, 1864, and in other battles, is of 
interest : . 

Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9th, 1865. 
Headquarters Third Cavalry Division. 
Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division : — 

With profound gratitude toward the God of battles, 
by whose blessing our enemies have been humbled and 
arms rendered triumphant, your Commanding Gen- 
eral avails himself of this his first opportunity to 
express to you his admiration of the heroic manner 
in which you have passed through the series of 
battles which to-day resulted in the surrender of the 
enemy's entire army. 

The record established by your indomitable courage 
is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess 
has won for you even the respect and admiration of 



280 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



your enemies. During the past six months although 
in most instances confronted by superior numbers, 
you have captured from the enemy, in open battle, 
one hundred and eleven pieces of field artillery, sixty- 
five battle flags, and upwards of ten thousand pris- 
oners of war including seven general officers. With- 
in the past ten days, and included in the above, you 
have captured forty-six pieces of field artillery and 
thirty-seven battle flags, you have never lost a gun, 
never lost a color, and have never been defeated, and 
notwithstanding the numerous engagements in which 
you have borne a prominent part, including those 
memorable battles of the Shenandoah you have cap- 
tured every piece of .artillery which the enemy has 
dared to open upon you. The near approach of peace 
renders it improbable that you will again be called upon 
to undergo the fatigues of the toilsome march or the 
exposure of the battle-field, but should the assistance 
of keen blades wielded by your sturdy arms be re- 
quired to hasten the coming of that glorious peace 
for which we have been so long contending, the Gen- 
eral commanding is proudly confident that, in the 
future as in the past, every demand will meet with a 
hearty and willing response. 

Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blessed 
with the comforts of peace, we may be permitted to 
enjoy the pleasures of home and friends. For our 
comrades who have fallen, let us ever cherish a grate- 
ful remembrance. To the wounded, and to those who 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 281 



languished in Southern prisons, let our heartfelt 
sympathy be tendered. 

And now, speaking for myself alone, when the 
war is ended, and the task of the historian begins, 
when those deeds of daring which have rendered the 
name and fame of the Third Division imperishable, 
are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's 
history, I only ask that my name be written as that 
of the Commander of the Third Cavalry Division. 
G. A. Custer, 

Brevet Major General Commanding. 

Official :— 

S. W. Barnhart, 

Captain and A. A. A. G. 



ERRATA AND CORRIGENDA. 



Page 42 next to the last line read ford for fort. 
Page 76 eighth line read is for are. 



Li-S'T OF SOME OF THE LIVING VETERANS OF THE 

TENTH REGIMENT, VERMONT VOLUNTEER 

INFANTRY, SEPTEMBER, 1908. 



Abbott, L. A., Maj. U. S. A., care of Mil. Sec. U. S. A., Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

Aiken, Hiram, Co. A, Cabot, Vt. 

Allen, Harvey H., Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 

Apple, Conrad, Co. E, Leadville, Colorado. 

Atwater, Alonzo, Co. C, Weston, Vt. 

Atwood, Corp. J. B., Co. I, Chelsea, Vt. 

Ayers, Lieut. J., Co. B, Stowe, Vt. 

Bailey, George, Co. A, Goss Hollow, Vt. 

Bailey, Jacob, Co. A, West Plymouth, N. H., R. F. D. No. 1, 
Box 38. 

Bailey, Henry J., Co. A, Lyndon, Vt. 

Bailey, William H., Co. F, Enosburg Falls, Vt. 

Bancroft, Corp. J. W., Co. K, Boise, Idaho. 

Banks, A. M., Co. I, Bradford, Vt. 

Bartlett, Corp. 0. F., Co. G, 4G5 Chestnut St., Manchester, 
N. H. 

Bentley, Hiland L., Co. E, German, N. Y. 

Blodgett, Corp. G. W., Co. K, Montpelier, Vt. 

Bowen, S. C, Co. H, Waterbury, Ct., R. F. D. No. 1. 

Bracket, William H., Regt. Hospt. Steward, Co. C, Peters- 
burg, Mich. 

Brown, Joseph, Co. A, West Barnet, Vt. 

Brown, L. J., Co. K, Bradford, Vt. 

Brownell, Philander, Co. E, Ely Summit, Wash. Co., N. Y. 

Bruce, Sergt. E. J., Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 

Bumell, Judge G. W., Capt. U. S. C. T., Oshkosh, Wis. 

Burt, Sergt. A., Co. F, Enosburg Falls, Vt. 



284 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Bushnell, Edward, 50 Eliot St., Brattleboro, Vt., N. C. 

Staff. 
Buss, Albee, Co. E, North Adams, Mass. 
Burnham, Luther, Co. I, Washington, Vt. 
Buxton, Sergt. E. R., Co. C, Royal, Neb. 
Cable, Thomas, Co. A, Summerville, Vt. 
Calkins, W. H., Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 
Carl, Rollin M., Co. D, Bristol, Vt. 
Chatfield, B. G., Co. G, 334 Stevens St., Lowell, Mass. 
Cheney, Hon. A. H., 1st Sergt. Co. G, Maj. U. S. C. T., 

Spencer, Iowa. 
Churchill, Corp. C. C, Co. C, Rochester, Vt. 
Churchill, O. E., Co. C, Libertyville, Illinois. 
Clark, Corp. Joseph H., Co. A, 18 Pike St., Hopkinton, Mass. 
Clark, Sergt. U. A., Co. G., Brookfield, Vt. 
Clement, Corp. D. E., Co. H, Tully, Mass. 
Clifford, Kimball C, Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 
Clogston, Lieut. Andrew J., Co. G, Littleton, N. H. 
Coleston, Lieut. C. E., Co. H, South Woodstock, Vt. 
Cobb, Corp. William H., Co. D, Middlesex, Vt. 
Cobb, W. N., Co. H, 374 Edgwood Ave., New Haven, Conn. 
Colby, George, Co. H, South Woodstock, Vt. 
Conley, Corp. Charles W., Co. A, Summerville, Vt. 
Cone, Patrick, Co. E, Bennington Centre, Vt. 
Crane, A. J., Co. D, Bristol, Vt. 
Crossett, E. C, Co. B, Waterbury, Vt. 
Crown, Hon. A. H., Corp. Co. D, Tonawanda, N. Y. 
Cunningham, Thomas, Co. C, Brandon, Vt. 
Currie, Sergt. Charles D., Co. E, Georgia, Vt. 
Currier, Alburn L., Co. A, Randolph, Vt. 
Curtis, H. B., Co. E, Clio, Genessee Co., Mich. 
Daley, Corp. John, Co. H, Ludlow, Vt. 
Dana, E. H., Co. B, Middlesex, Vt. 
Dane, Alden O., Co. K, Bellerica, Mass. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 285 



Dart, Alba, Co. H, Bethel, Vt. 

Davis, Capt. George Evans, Co. D, 35 Federal St., Beverly, 

Mass. 
Densmore, Corp. Jason, Co. G, Lebanon, N. H. 
Dewey, Capt. H. H., Co. A, 294 Washington St., Boston, 

Mass. (Now in hospital). 
Dodge, Albert F., Co. B, Maj. U. S. C. T., Barre, Vt. 
Douse, Dr. George M., Co. A, Peacham, Vt. 
Drown, C. L., Co. K, Island Pond, Vt. 
Edwards, W. R., Co. D, 221 West Miller St., Mason City, 

Iowa. 
Emery, Charles E., Co. G, Washington, Vt. 
Evaans, E. P., Co. B. 1419 North 13th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Evans, Hon. Ira H., Co. B, Capt. U. S. C. T., Austin, Texas. 
Farr, Capt. E. P., Co. G, Pierre, So. Dakota. 
Felt, D. O., Co. E, Boston, Mass. 
Ferris, Henry M., Co. C, Brandon, Vt. 

Foss, F. Plummer, Co. G, 20 Middle St., Manchester, N. H. 
Foster, Dr. E. J., Co. B, Waterbury Center, Vt. 
Foster, Capt. Daniel, Co. B, Bloomington, 111. (Not sure; 

no reply to letter). 
Freeman, Corp. Julius, Co. G, East Chatham, N. Y. 
Fuller, Capt. A. W., St. Albans. Vt. 
George, Corp. Christopher, Co. C, Barnard, Vt. 
George, C. H., Co. G, River Falls, Wisconsin. 
George, J. C, Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 
George, J. Hebert, Co. G, 19 Hamilton St., Norwich, Ct. 

Band. 
Getchell, G. C, Co. G, East St. Johnsbury, Vt. 
Goldsmith, James H., Co. H, Weathersfield Center, Vt. 

Band. 
Green, Charles, Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 
Griffin, John D., Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 



286 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Griswold, Sergt. W. A., Co. D, 639 Morris St., Washington, 
D. C. 

Guilder, Bishop C, Co. E, Castleton, Vt. 

Hadlock, Lieut. C. P., Co. K, North Thetford, Vt. 

Hall, E. C, Co. G, Soldier's Home, Hampden, Va. 

Hamilton, Nathan, Co. F, Richford, Vt. (Not sure). 

Hart, John B., Co. K, West Derby, Vt. 

Haynes, Dr. E. M., Chaplain, 38 Grove St., Rutland, Vt. 

Heath, John, Co. K, West Charleston, Vt. 

Hebard, Milan, Co. G, Randolph, Vt. 

Hemenway, Sergt. Oscar, Co. H, New Richmond, Wis. 

Henry, Gen. W. W., U. S. Consul, Quebec, Canada. 

Hilliard, Sergt. C. L., Co. C, Wallingford, Vt. 

Hoadley, Francis H., Co. C, Wallingford, Vt. 

Hopkins, Perry, Co. G, Bloomer, Wis., R. F. D. No. 5. 

Hosford, J. N., Co. G, Barre, Vt, R. F. D. No. 3. 

Howard, Edgar 0., Co. H, No. 3 Willow Court, Waterbury, 
Ct. 

Howe, Sergt. J. C, Co. H, Walpole, N. H. 

Hoy, James, Co. C, Londonderry, Vt. 

Hoyt, Lieut. William R., Co. A, Oklahoma. (Govt, em- 
ployee; location unknown). 

Humphrey, Charles D., Co. H, Hartland, Vt., R. F. D. No. 1. 

Hunt, Sergt. Maschil, Co. K, Avon, Mass., Box 92. 

Hunt, Corp. Roswell C, Co. D, San Pedro, California. 

Ingram, Lieut. Almon, Co. G, 148 Weston Road, Wellesley, 



Johnson, Lieut. E. T., Co. E, Bradford, Pa. 

Johnson, Ira J., Co. B, Middlesex, Vt. 

Johnson, Nathan M., Coos, N. H. 

Jones, William M., Co. H, Pittsford Mills, Vt. 

Kelley, Beauman A., Co. A, Burke, Vt. 

Kelley, Edward, Sergt. Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 

Kelley, Corp. Emery, Co. A, St. Johnsbury Centre, Vt. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 287 

Keyes, Corp. Edwin L., Co. E, Readsboro, Vt. 

Kidder, L. G., Co. G, Northfield, Vt. 

Kincaid, Arthur, Co. A, Sutton, Vt. 

Kingsley, Capt. H. W., Rutland, Vt. 

Kirk, Corp. Reuben S., Co. H, Keene, N. H. 

LaFountain, John, Co. F, Montgomery, Vt. 

Lajoie, Stephen, Co. D, Burlington, Vt. 

Lagro, Henry, Co. F, Enosburg, Vt. 

Law, Corp. Harrison, Co. C, Wallingford, Vt. 

Lawrence, Sergt. H. A., Co. A, East Peacham, Vt. 

Leanard, Charles, Co. C, Lyme, N. H. 

Learned, A. N., Co. I, Chester, Vt. 

Leavens, L. C, Co. I, Richford, Vt. 

Lincoln, C. M., Co. E, Rupert, Vt. 

Madison, M., Co. E, West Chicago, 111. 

Manly, James, Co. D, Milton, Vt. 

Mansur, J. W., Co. K, Island Pond, Vt. 

Mansur, Hon. Z. M., Corp. Co. K, Newport, Vt. 

Mason, George E., Co. G, West Randolph, Vt. 
Martin, George W., Co. G, Bradford, Vt. 
Martin, J. B., Co. C, Londonderry, Vt. 

McClure, C. W., Co. C, Middletown Springs, Vt. 

McCoy, J. B., Co. K, Madison, Wisconsin. 

McMurphy, A. H., Co. G, Randolph Centre, Vt. 

McNally, Corp. John, Co. G, Spruce St., Manchester, N. H. 

Miles, George B., Co. G, Waits River, Vt. 

Miner, Henry, Co. C, Winooski, Vt. 

Miner, James, Co. C, Fair Haven, Vt., Box 204. 

Montgomery, Corp. Wm. H., Co. E, Pownal, Vt. 

Morrill, Joseph A., Co. A, Passumpsic, Vt., R. F. D. No. 1. 

Moulton, W. S., Co. K, East Charleston, Vt. 

Montieth, John, Co. F, Montgomery, Vt. 

Munsen, W. W., Co. F, Highgate Centre, Vt. Band. 

Murray, Robert, Co. A, Kinniars Mills, Quebec, Canada. 



288 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864, 

Murray, William, Co. A, Kinniars Mills, Quebec, Canada. 

Naylor, Michael, Co. C, 165 Granger St., Rutland, Vt. 

Nye, Capt. Chester F., Pawnee City, Neb. 

O'Brien, Thomas, Co. D, 20 Hayward St., Burlington, Vt. 

Oliver, Charles, Co. H, 43 Milk St., Fitchburg, Mass. 

Ormsby, Corp. A. S., Co. I, Chester, Vt. 

Osborn, Alfred M., Co. D, Williston, Vt. 

Paige, Corp. S. A., Co. G, Laport City, Iowa. 

Parker, L. B., Co. F., Richford, Vt. 

Parkhurst, Jesse, Co. C, Andover, Vt. 

Parkhurst, A. S., Co. B, Barre, Vt. 

Pattison, E., Co. G, White Bear Lake, Minn. 

Paul, William B., Co. H., Waltham, Mass. 

Pease, L. H., Co. H, Amherst, N. H. 

Perkins, William H., Co. E, East Rupert, Vt. 

Pierce, Sergt. H. M., Co. B, 172 Washington Ave., Chelsea, 



Porter, Albert H., Co. G, Thetford Center, Vt. 

Porter, Charles E., Co. G, 142 County St., Fall River, Mass. 

Powell, Charles A., Co. F., Richford, Vt. 

Powell, Hon. E. Henry, Col. U. S. C. T., 166 College St., 

Burlington, Vt. 
Powers, Lieut. Isaac L., Co. H, 91 Indiana Ave., Providence, 

R. I. 
Powers, Orin S., Co. I, Bakersfield, Vt. 
Puffer, Col. N. M., Co. E, Bennington, Vt. Band. 
Raymore, J. W., Co. G, Randolph, Vt. 
Rice, Charles L., Co. G, Rockland, Mass. 
Rice, G. E., Co. G, 80 Pleasant St., Maiden, Mass. 
Rice, Ira A., Co. G, Florence, Wis. 
Ring, Corp. Homer W., Co. D, Essex Junction, Vt. 
Ross, Sergt. U. T., Co. H, Proctorsville, Vt. 
Rogers, Allen, Co. C, Rochester, Vt. 
Sabin, W. H. H., Co. — , Rutland, Vt. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 289 



Scott, Sergt. Alexander, Co. D, 1201 Kenyon Ave., Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
Sears, Andrews, Co. D, Vergennes, Vt. 
Selina, Julius, Co. B, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 
Sessions, Corp. H. G., Co. C, Meeteetse, Big Horn Co., 

Wyoming. 
Sheldon, Capt. John A., Co. C, Rutland, Vt. 
Sexton, DeWItt B., Co. I, Rutland, Vt. (Not sure of ad- 
dress). 
Smally, A. K., Co. G, Waterbury, Vt. 
Smith, Frank, Co. I, Chester, Vt. 
Smith, Hon. Richard, Co. F, West Enosburg, Vt. 
Smith, H. T., Co. G, Malcomb, Iowa. 
Smith, J. G., Co. B, 208 Main St., Montpelier, Vt. 
Spofford, Judson, Co. K, Boise, Idaho, Box 145. 
Stafford, Sergt. Henry, Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 
Stafford, Corp. John A., Co. E, 272 Western Ave., Brattle- 

boro, Vt. 
Steele, Capt. H. R., Co. K, 32 Liberty St., N. Y. City. 
Steward, John R., Co. E, Soldier's Home, Bennington, Vt. 
Stoddard, Albert H., Co. K, Burke, Vt. 
Swail, W. H., Co. D, 42 Larned St., Detroit, Mich. 
Taylor, Smith, Co. G, Chelsea, Vt. 
Tice, Sergt. George H., Co. K, Holland, Vt. 
Torrence, Ezra M., Co. E, Worthington, Minn. 
Torrence, Henry E., Co. E, Worthington, Minn. 
Turner, Andrew V., Co. E, Manchester Centre, Vt. 
Vedell, Francis, Co. C, 217 Blmwood Ave., Burlington, Vt. 
Wait, Corp. Oscar E., Co. I, Springfield, Vt. 
Wallace, W. H., Co. A, St. Johnsbury Centre, Vt. 
Wallace, C. F., Co. K, Dixville, P. Q., Canada. 
Walker, Corp. Joel, Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 
Washburn, Milton, Co. D, Middlebury, Vt. 
Waters, Corp. J. L., Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 



290 CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 

Welch, Adjt. George P., 8806 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 

Wellman, Adin J., Co. C, Sedgwick, Kansas. 

Wetmore, Philander C, Co. C, Robinson, Vt. 

Wheeler, Lieut. A. H., Perkinsville, Vt. 

Whitcomb, William L., Co. H, Springfield, Vt. 

White, Lieut. Thomas H., Co. G, Shingle Springs, California. 

Whitney, D., Co. G, Sibley, Iowa. 

Wilkey, Lieut. Alexander, Co. G, Maria, P. Q., Canada. 

Willey, Frank, Co. A, 323 Lake Ave., Manchester, N. H. 

Williams, L. J., Co. C, Mendon, Vt. 

Wise, Corp. George W., Co. G, 172 Broadway, Saranac Lake, 
N. Y. 

Woodruff, Gen. Charles, Co. A, care Mil. Sec. U. S. A., Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

Wyatt, A. N., Co. E, 16 Washington St., Brattleboro, Vt. 

Young, Henry C, Co. E, Bennington, Vt. 



DIED. 

Black, J. A., Co. K, d. 715 E. 7th St., Erie, Pa., wid. res. 
there. 

Bond, T. C, Co. H, d. Apr. 19, 1905. 

Boutwell, A. C, Co. G, d. Rutland, Vt., wld. res. there. 

Chatfield, B. G., Co. G., d. in Lowell, Mass. 

Clark, Dr. Almon, d. in Milwaukee, Wis. 

Colby, E. C, Co. I, d. in Waterbury, Ct., wid res. Spring- 
field, Mass. 

Eaton, A. F., Co. H, d. in Ludlow, Vt. 

Emery, George A., Co. G, d. in Somerville, Mass. 

Freeman, Dr. D. B., Co. G, d. in Bethel, Vt., wid. res. there. 

Gassett, Oscar, Co. H, d. in Ludlow, Vt, Jan. 11, 1895. 

Hadley, Corp. Thomas, Co. H, d. in Claremont, N. H., June 
20, 1904, wid. res. 36 Prospect St., Claremont, N. H. 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 291 



Haskell, Robert, Co. A, d. in East Peacham, Vt. 

Kelley, C. A., Co. G, d. in Hawley, Mass. 

Laberee, Sergt. George, Co. A, d. at Ascot Corners, P. Q., 

Canada. 
Leach, P. C, Co. I, d. in Bakersfield, Vt, Oct. 2, 1907 
Mcintosh, Dr. H. H., Co. G, d. in Randolph, Vt. 
McKinstry, A. P., Co. G, wid. res. 419 W. 7th St., Red 

Wing, Minn. 
Pippin, Corp. Timothy, Co. D, d. in Rockford, la., Nov. 14, 

1907. 
Poor, John H., Co. G, d. in Hardwick, Vt. 
Riley, Thomas D., Co. F, d. probably in Wis. 
Rutherford, Dr. J. C, d. in Newport, Vt. 
Sloane, William A., Co. H., d. in Conway, N. H., Jan. 6, 

1903, wid. res there. 
Sprague, H. J., Co. G, d. at Bridgewater, Vt. 
Stiles, Lieut. H. G., Co. G, d. in Indianapolis, Ind. 
Tarble, Sylvester C, Co. H, d. in Brandon, Vt. 
Thompson, Charles, Co. G, d. in Manchester, N. H. 
Thompson, Capt. J. S., d. at 2802 Everett Ave., Everett, 

Washington, wid. res. there. 
Ware, D. W., Co. H, d. in Springfield, Mass., Apr. 21, 1898. 
Whitehill, W. H., Co. A, d. at State Center, la.. Mar. 3, 

1907, wid. res. there. 
Woodward, G. H., Co. G, d. at Bridgewater, Vt., wid. res. 

there. 
Wyman, Charles H., Co. H, d. in Fitchburg, Mass., May 28, 

1902, of apoplexy, wid. res. 9 Park St. 
Zuille, Francis, Co. H, d. in Springfield, Vt., July, 1908. 



INDEX. 



The same name although indexed but once may appear 
several times on the same page. The figures following the name 
refer to the page where the name will be found. The different 
grades of rank following the name show that the individual Is 
so referred to in the text. 



Abbott, Charles 245 
George 158 
James 230 

L. A. Lieut, Capt, Maj. 247 
Roy 13 
Abercrombie, Gen. 205 
Alexander, F. W., Capt. 95, 99, 
102 
Gen. 207 
Allen, Ethan 122 
H. S., Capt. 95 
Anderson, Dr. 234 

Gen. 135 
Archer 200 
Averill, W. W., Gen. 150, 162, 

168 
Bagley, Dr. 227 
Ball, Col. 25 
Bancroft, Dan. 5 
J. W. 253 

Banty, 4, 12 

Barber, Merritt, Lieut., Capt. 77 

123, 135, 245 
Barnard, Kev. Mr. 28 
Barnhart, S. W. 281 
Bartruff. Capt. 243 
Battles, Mrs. 18 
Baxter, Mr. 9 
Baxter, Hon. Portus 27 
Beal, C. W., Corp. 10, 11 
Beckley, Mr. 226 
Benedict, Ezra 217 

Aurora, Ro. 217, 232 
Beaureguard, Gen. 208 
Binkley, Otho H., Lieut.-Col. 96 
Birney, Gen. 68 
Bixby, Roger 225 
Blair, P. M., Gen. Ill 
Blake, W. H. 253 
Blanchard, Hiram 226 
John 252 

Orry 10, 85, 149, 216 
Bliss, Mr. Rev. F. S. 221, 226, 
227, 231 
Mrs. 221 



Blodget, P. D., Capt 22, 223 
Bogue, C. D., Sergt, Lieut., Capt. 

140 
Botts, John Minor 27 
Bover, Peter 252 
Bowen, Mr. 11 

Breckenridge, Gen. 102, 108, 109 
Bradford, Got. Ill 
Bradley, Byron 145, 219 

Bradey's 39 

Briggs, Capt. 239 
Brown, Allison L., Col. 95 
Chas. J., Capt. 95, 98, 105 
George G. 11 
John Old 141 

Brownell, 171 

Bruces, 253 
Buford, Gen. 202 
Burnell, G. W., Lieut. 
30, 93 

Burrage, 198, 199, 200, 

201, 202, 203, 204 
Burnham. Abby 6, 61 
Andrew 218 
Hattie 221, 232 
Henry 231 
James; Jim 139, 221, 

241 
Burnside, Gen. 39, 40, 41, 42, 51, 

62, 83, 89 
Butler, B. F., Gen. 23, 84, 85, 

244 
Carpenter, Dr. 226 
Carr, J. B. 24 
Casev, Silas, Gen. 14, 28, 29, 34, 

36, 39, 40 
Chandler, C. G., Capt., Maj., 
11, 26, 29, 38, 41, 77, 9! 
105, 240 
Mrs. C. G. 23 
Charles Sergt. 245 
Chester, Mrs. 224 
Child, Mrs. W. A. 14 

Dr. W. A. 4, 13, 20, 24 
Chilton, A. W., Lieut., Capt. 140. 
240 



Capt. 2, 



229, 231, 



Col. 
, 99, 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



293 



Chittenden, L. E., Hon. 117 
Clark, Lieut. 41 

B. B., Lieut. 225, 250 

Almon Dr. 3, 19, 20, 23, 129, 

139, 143, 219, 240 
Will 2, 130 
Clendenin, David R., Col. 95, 99 
Cllngman, Gen. 72 
Crandall, Maj. 78 
Crook, George Gen. 124, 125, 126, 

127, 135, 141, 149, 157, 162 
Crossett, H. W. 252 
Crown, A. H. 253 
Custer, G. A., Gen. 69, 168, 174, 

279, 281 
Damon, G. B., Capt., Lieut.-Col. 

45, 242, 261, 271 
Darrah, Samuel. Capt. 1, 6, 15, 

19, 24, 28. 77, 104 
Davis, Jeff. 243 

G. E., Lieut., Capt. 13, 54, 77, 

86, 92, 93, 99, 100, 104, 105, 

131, 145, 148, 225, 243, 240, 

256 
Mrs. G. E. 19 
Day, Capt. 243 
Devcey, H. H., Lieut, Capt. 13, 

19, 241 
Dillingham, Capt., Maj. 1, 11, 78, 

89, 100, 121, 127, 167, 169, 

210. 215, 216, 225 
Gov. 230 
Dodge, Albert F., Capt. 41, 229, 

231 
Louise 231 

Oramel, Mrs. 221, 227 
Donaldson, Mr. 121 
Doubleday, Gen. 202 
Drury, Lyman 219 
Early. Jubal A.. Gen. 48. 93, 100, 

102, 106. 107, 108, 109, 110, 

111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 117. 

118, 123, 125, 126, 127, 128, 

134, 135, 136, 142, 146, 150, 

169. 176. 201, 208. 210, 211 
Ebright, Aaron W., Lieut.-Col. 96 
Egbert, Lieut.-Col. 25 
Embic, Col. 3 
Emerson, William, Col. 96 
Emery, W. H., Gen. 112, 124, 

150, 190, 191. 192 
Evans, C. E.. Lieut. 102 
Ewell, Gen. 200, 258 
Farnam, A. H. 279 
Farra. Mr. 29 
Farrer. Perlev 62 
Farr, E. P., Lieut. 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 

13, 20, 27. 139 
Field, Gen. 72 
Flint, Mr. 232 



Floyd, Aurora 217, 218 

Forbush, Dr. 224 

Forest, Edwin 40 

Foster, Col. 140 

Daniel G., Lieut, Sergeant 12, 

241 
Maj. 36 

French, Charley 221 
Frank 216, 230 
Gen. 21, 24, 26, 29 

Frost E. B., Capt, Maj. 4, 24, 
41, 72, 75 

Fuller, A. W., Lieut. 225, 256 

George, Herbert 4, 6 

Getty, General 180 

Gibson, C. J., Lieut. 97 

Gilmore, 120 

Gilpin, Chas., Col. 95, 99 

Glover, Hattie 217. 220, 221, 222 

Goddard, Maj. 214 

Godwin. Gen. 210 

Goodrich, Capt 2, 212 

Gordon, Gen. 102, 108, 109, 110, 
111, 115 

Grant U. S., Col., Gen., Lieut- 
Gen. 1, 29, 37. 42, 49, 61, 65, 
66, 69, 76, 78, 85, 86, 92, 
93, 94, 109, 111, 115, 116, 
123, 129, 130, 134. 1.3.5. 136, 
141, 146, 147, 149, 179, 194, 
195, 197, 198,- 199, 204, 205, 
206, 207, 208, 209. 256, 257, 
258, 259, 260, 273, 274, 275, 
276, 277, 278 

Griffin, Gen. 50 

Hall, C. K., Lleut.-Col. 96 

Hallock, Gen. 115 

Hancock, Gen. 51. 54, 59, 64 

Hanson, Lester 231 
Mr. 216 

Harper. Maj. 36, 126 

Harrington, Ardelia 226 
Nate 10, 149, 221, 220 

Hayes. R. B., Col., Gen., Pres. 
157 

Haynes, E. M., Chap., Dr. 3, 30. 
41, 46, 107. 113. 117, 155, 
150, 211, 248. 249 

Hayward, Mrs. 227 

Havward, Susan 227 

Hennig, 127 

Henry, Mrs. W. W. 23 

W W., Lieut.-Col., Brig.-Gen. 
6, 37, 41, 46, 73. 77. 86, 96, 
102, 103, 104, 106, 131, 240, 
242 

Hicks. J. A., Llettt., Capt., 28. 38, 
40. 214 
Mr. 214 

Higglns, 127 



294 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



Hill, D. G., Lieut. 2, 9, 10, 26, 

92, 131, 132, 209, 211, 212 
Hinkley, Lyman 227 
Iloadly, P. H., Corp. 178 
Hogle, Sergt. 216 
Hoije, Gen. 72 
Holbrooli, Gov. 230 
Hood, Gen. 244 
Howe. Abby 232 
Polly, Aunt 219, 220 
Uncle 220, 231 
Howard, Gen. 202 
Hoyt, W. R., Lieut. 6, 8 
Hunt, Lucius T., Capt., Maj. 75, 
140, 240 
Mrs. 24 
Hunter, Col. 236, 238, 239 

Huntington, 36 

James, Dr. 223 

Jewett, Albert B., Col. 6, 13, 16, 

17, 21, 31, 41, 248, 253 
Johonnott, Fred 222 
Jones, J. H., Dr. 39, 61, 138, 220, 
226, 227, 242, 245 
Maj. 239 
Mr. 231 
Keifer, J. W., Col. 107 
Kersliaw, Gen. 72, 136, 141, 210, 

211 
Kilpatrlck, Gen. 22, 23, 24 

King, 108, 109, 110 

Kingsley, H. W., Lieut., Capt. 23, 

92, 145, 212, 239 
Landstreet, Wm. T., Col. 95 
Leary, P., Lieut., Brig. Gen. 102 
Lee, C. B. 10, 12, 13, 201 
Custus, Gen. 258 
Fitzhugh, Gen. 135, 136 
R. E., Gen. 12, 22, 52, 56, 57, 
60, 67, 78, 107, 135, 142, 148, 
194, 198. 199, 202, 203, 204, 

206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 258 
Lieb, E. H., Capt. 95 
Leonard, Capt. 28 

Herbert 222 
Laura 222 
Lewis, S. H., Jr., Lieut. 239 
Lincoln, Abraham, Mr., Pres. .39, 
117 147, 195, 198, 199, 200, 
201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 

207, 228 
Lomax, Gen. 114 
Longstreet, Gen. 64, 198, 202, 203, 

204, 207 
Lyman, Wyllys., Adj.. Maj. 126, 

170, 178, 225, 256, 271 
Mansur, Z. M., Corp., Col. 253 
Marlborough, 194, 197, 

204, 209 
Martin, Ann 220 



Mather, J. M. 252 
Mattison, J. M. 235 
May, Lewis A., Maj. 96 
McCausland, Gen. 100, 102, 108, 

109, 110, 111 
McClellan, G. B., Gen. 142, 146, 

147, 195, 228 
McClennan, Matthews R., Col. 96 
McDonald, Maj. 73 
Meade, Gen. 30, 37, 48, 51, 63, 
69, 112. 122, 123. 198, 201, 
202, 203, 205, 206, 251 
Meader, Levi 25, 228, 245 
Merrill, Isaac 227 

Nancy 131 
Merritt. Wesley., Gen. 150, 162, 

168 
Moon, Dick 3.?, 35 
Morris. W. H.. Gen. 8. 9. 22, 24, 

28, 38, 55, 251, 254 
Morse, Mrs. 24 

Mosby, 16, 124, 135 

Mower, David, Mr. 220. 222, 230, 
231, 241, 244 
Mrs. David 217, 230 

Nelson, 108, 109. 110 

Newton. C. G. 3. 5. 19 

Nye C. F., Capt., Lieut. 17, 225, 

256 
O'Brien. Thomas. Priv. 104 
Olds. William 229 
Orcutt. Mr. 231 
Paine, E. M., Capt. 96 

John 218 
Parker. Rev. Mr. 21 
Parkhurst, A. S. 10, 11 
Park. Gen. 262 
Patterson. Mrs. 226 
Pepper, Mrs. 218 
Perham, S. H.. Capt. 263 
Pickett. Gen. 72. 198. 205 
Pierce. Abbv 145. 219 
H. M., Sergt. 252 
Lieut. 245 
Uncle 219 
Pollard, Dr. 66, 67 
Powell. Col. Henry 93 
Prince. Brig.-Gen. 29 
Putnam. G. B. 241 

Ramseur. . Gen. 108. 109 

Read. J. M.. Sergt.. Adjt, Lieut. 

14. 35. 131. 135 
Revnolds. Gen. 200. 202 

C. H., Lieut. R. Q. M. 138 
Rhodes, Gen. 108. 110, 210 
Ricketts. James B.. Gen. 96. 99, 

112, 113, 116, 182, 189 
Ripley, Lafayette G., Priv. 252 
Roberts, Rev. Mr., Chap. 30, 145 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



295 



Robinson, Gen. 50 
Russell, Ed 215, 223 

Gen. 64, 67, 158, 1.59, 161, 164, 
165, 167, 168, 174, 175, 178, 
182, 193, 200 
Rutherford, J. C, Dr. 169, 234 
Salisbury, J. A., Capt., Maj. 3, 

102, 103, 104 
Sawyer, J. W. 10 
Schall, Col. 73, 75, 87 
Schurz, 202 

Scott, Alexander, Priv., Corp., 
Sergt. 105, 178, 253 
Billy 18 

Charles, Mrs. 226 
Seaver, J. R., Ryle 7 41, 131, 
218, 229, 232 
Alma 218 
Rodney 218, 232 
Sedgwick, Gen. 37, 48, 51, 54, 

122, 259 
Seward, Wm. H. Jr., Col. 96 
Seymour, Gen. 45, 46, 48 
Shalers, Gen. 48 
Shedd, Corp. 53 
Sheldon, Capt. J. A. 26, 28 
Sheridan, Gen. 1, 69, 123, 131, 
135, 136, 141, 146, 149, 151, 
152, 153, 166, 167, 178, 179, 
180, 189, 193, 194, 195, 197, 
198, 199, 200, 201, 205, 209, 
210, 211, 233, 240, 256, 257, 
258, 259, 260 
Sherman, Gen. 131, 241, 242, 243, 

244 
Simons, Sarah, Aunt 220, 231 
George 220 
Martha 220 
Skiff, George 24 
Smith, David 220, 231, 232 
Governor 9, 22 
Lois 232 
Mr. 29 

W. P.. Maj.-Gen. 70, 84, 85 
Snow, Mr. 220 
Spaulding. J. S. 229 
Spofford, Judson 253 
Stahl, J. A., Col. 96 
Stannard, Gen. 230 
Staunton, J. F., Col. 107 
Steele. H. R. Capt. 3, 18, 19, 25, 

44, 55, 76, 252 
Stetsou, Ezra, Lieut. 1, 3, 9, 10, 
11, 12, 13, 17, 23, 35, 73, 
225, 249, 252, 253 
Mrs. Ezra 19 
Stevenson, Gen. 236, 237, 240 
Stonestreet, Dr. 127 
Storrs. G. D. 252 



Thayer, Dr. 222, 223, 23.'?, 234, 

W. M. 252 
Thomas, Gen. 147, 241, 242. 243, 
244 
Stephen, Col. 124 
Thompson, Aunt 145, 232 
Fernando 220 
Helen 221 

J. S., Lieut., Capt. 25, 74 
L. D., Lieut., Capt. 131, 225, 

226, 256 
Lieut. 17, 23 
Phlneas 221 

P. A., Pert. 2, 6, 9, 17, 23, 60, 
61, 79, 130, 137, 145, 146. 
218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 224, 
226. 229, 230, 232, 241, 245 
Tilden, Lester 229 

Webber 229 
Torbert, A. T. A., Gen. 137, 150 
Townsend, Lieut.-Col. 73 
Truax, W. S., Col. W. S. 96 
Tyler, E. B., Gen. 95, 99, 110, 121 
Upton, Emery, Gen. 72, 73, 192, 

193 
Vredenburg, MaJ. 167 

Wadsworth, 200 

Walker, Aldace F., Col. 176 180, 
187, 189, 194 
Joel, Corp. 171, 172 
Wallace, Lew, Gen. 95, 104, 107, 

111, 112, 113, 114, 115 
Walters, Mr. 216 
Warner, Col. 184, 185 
Warren, Gen. 51 
Watson, Alma 229 
Mrs. George 216, 230 
George 230 
Jo. 227 
Welch, George P., Adjt.. Lieut. 
14. 31. 41, 132, 143, 148, 
225, 256 

Wellington, 194, 197, 204, 

209 
Wells, Charles A. MaJ. 95 
West, Fanny 229 

Mr. 225 
Wheeler, Lieut. 148, 240 
Elijah 231 
Susan 79, 231 
White, William, Lieut. 73 
Wllkey, Alexander.. Lieut. 241 
Wilson, C. B., Carl, Col. 9, 10, 
20, 32. 215, 216, 221, 222, 
224. 230 
James H., Gen. 130, 137, 139, 

150, 161, 180 
Em. 221 



296 



CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1864. 



John, Mr. 221, 222 

Mrs. 221, 222 
Wise, Corp. George W. 272 
Woodbrldge, F. E., Congressman 
25, 228 



Wright, H. G., Gen. 84, 90, 124, 
149, 192, 202, 239, 257, 259, 
262, 277 
Mrs. 211, 212 
Rebekah 211, 212 
York, Gen. 210 



31^77-5 



